Quilt Market Fall 2012

Fall Quilt Market was this past October in Houston... Between Blend and Anna Griffin, we introduced 11 new collections with over 100 fabric options.  Seems like we spend months and months preparing and it is over like that!  Dozens of quilts and projects were designed and made and displayed in our booth and I wanted to share some pictures as well as the fabulous people who helped along the way...

Here is our booth!!  It looked beautiful with the ivory and white walls and carpet that really helped set-off all the collections.  We had 2 quilts for every collections (one is the free project that can be downloaded from our websites), 2 tables full of fabulous projects and 6 dress forms showing off some beautiful little girl's dresses.

       

          

What did I tell you... months and months of preparation!!  Now let's get back to those dresses...

People oohhh'ed and aahhh'ed over them - They were a huge hit and I need to give credit where credit is due...

     
These beautiful dresses were designed &/or made by some very talented ladies...

-Top left dress - Made by Amy (from a Simplicity Pattern) from During Quiet Time blog featuring Hope Chest from Josephine Kimberling.

-Middle Fairytale Handkerchief Dress - Pattern designed and dress made by Jen from Tie Dye Diva Patterns featuring Anna Griffin's Olivia collection.

-Top right Pillowcase Dress - Pattern designed and dress made by Melinda Little Lizard King featuring Anna Griffin's Chinoiserie collection.

     

2 more dresses...

Left Square Neck Dress - Pattern designed and dress made by Jen from Tie Dye Diva Patterns featuring Global Bazaar from Josephine Kimberling.

Right Tea Party Dress - Pattern designed and dress made by Lynn Jefferies from the Handmaiden's Cottage featuring Maude Asbury's Gabbie Collection.

    

And last, but certainly not least is the Ruffle Dress - Pattern designed and dress made by Melinda from Little Lizard King featuring Global Bazaar by Josephine Kimberling.

Get you patterns today at:
www.tiedyedivapatterns.com
www.littlelizardking.com
www.etsy.com/shop/handmaidenscottage

And check out all these collections (coming soon) and many more at:
www.blendfabrics.com
www.annagriffin.com

Oh - And Blend is now selling fabric by the yard!!!
Go to www.annagriffin.com - products - quilt fabrics and buy some today!!




Besides these fabulous dresses we had so many other wonderful projects to showcase our fabric... From bags to softies to pillows - a little something for everyone!!  Here is a sneak peek at the projects... Stay tuned for my next post and find where you can get yours...  Cheers!

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Designer Josephine Kimberling

Hi Everyone!  I'm Josephine Kimberling, one of the designers thrilled to be working with Blend Fabrics, stopping by to let you know a bit about myself as well as my new fabric collection Hope Chest.

I am a licensing artist who specializes in creating surface patterns and design solutions for a variety of companies.  About a year and a half ago I left the corporate world of 12 years to work for myself.  I grew up in Stockton, CA and moved to Seattle, WA to attend the Art Institute of Seattle where I earned a degree in Graphic Design and Illustration.


In addition to fabric, my artwork can be found on a growing list of products such as stationery, life organization, magnets, rubber stamps and even cake decorations!  I'm still coming down off of all the work that follows Surtex, and have some exciting, but still secret, things to come down the pike.

You can find me on my website, blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Flickr and Linked In.

WEBSITE:  http://www.josephinekimberling.com

BLOG:  http://www.josephinekimberling.blogspot.com

FACEBOOK:  http://www.facebook.com/josephinekimberling

TWITTER:  www.twitter.com/patternsavvy

PINTEREST:  http://www.pinterest.com/josephine/

INSTAGRAM:  http://followgram.me/josephinekimberling

FLICKR:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/josephinekimberling/

LINKED IN:  http://www.linkedin.com/in/josephinekimberling

When creating my Hope Chest collection, the novels of Jane Austin and the beauties surrounding 19th-century England inspired me.  I consider myself one of the lucky girls since my husband enjoys watching movies like Pride and Prejudice and other British drama's with me.  We seem to watch so many and each time I see them, the colors, the textures and the collective types of fabric designs really strike me.  With Hope Chest, my aim was to create a fabric collection that captures my love of this period and that combines a modern and handcrafted take on a romantic sensibility.  Uniting the hopeless romantic with a dash of modern style and delicious color.

I just wrapped up my Hope Chest photo shoot a few weeks ago, received the pictures and am thrilled to share some of them with you today.  You can see more of them on my website, Facebook and Flickr.  If you are interested in knowing which sewing pattern I used, please swing by the inspiration page on my website for details.

With my background in fashion as a textile designer, my focus for my everyday fabric collections is to create a line of prints that women can see themselves wearing.  While I'm pulling everything together to make my vision a reality in my photo shoots, I focus on using sewing patterns that are relevant to the fashions going on now, and strive to mix my prints in a way that would inspire the wearer to feel very put together and pretty.

Like many artists, art and drawing have been a lifelong thread throughout my life.  Believe or not, I started out drawing realistically with pencil - things such as people, landscapes and horses.  However, my first job was working as a Textile Designer for Nordstrom and something just clicked.  It was where my style, aesthetic and cumulative art knowledge truly started to develop a life of it's own.  I also stopped drawing in shades of grey and my love for creating unique color combinations took over and flourished.

Now that I'm working for myself, I feel like each day is full of things I love to do - like it's just an extension of me so it doesn't really feel like work at all.  I absolutely love it!  So, when I'm not 'working' I enjoy spending time watching Downtown Abbey on rerun or Pixar and Disney flicks, visiting Barnes and Noble for a few hours to stock up on magazines while drinking a chai tea latte, shopping for the latest fashions to update my closet or my home and exercising such as running, hiking, weightlifting and Pilate's.  My husband is my absolute best friend who I'm lucky loves everything I've listed above, except for the shopping bit and choice of drink.  We've been married for 11 years this year and time sure flies when you are having fun!

Working with Blend has been an absolute wonderful experience {Thanks Anna, Joe and Kate for absolutely everything!}  I also attended my first Quilt Market this year with Blend, which was absolutely awesome!  It was so fun to experience Quilt Market and to meet so many people.

I can't wait to share with you my next collection, which offers something completely different than Hope Chest.  Think vibrant and global... and shipping in January 2013!

Global Bazaar by Josephine Kimberling

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Blend Fabrics features...

Elephant & owl softies, diaper bags, fun quilt patterns and some free projects...  These are just a few of the fabulous projects made with Blend's fabrics.  I have been so lucky to meet and work with these wonderful people who are so talented and I wanted to share them with you!!

Kim is the designer & owner of Retromama, an outline boutique & Etsy shop of the most fabulous PDF patterns.  She designs these wonderful softies among other things and was kind enough to use some of our fabrics on her projects.  First off, her latest & greatest pattern cover "Doxie Softies - Milo & Moxie" features Blend's Spring Promise line by Ana Davis.  Also featured is Magic Garden on the elephant softies Tilly & Tommy, our Tinsel Christmas collection on Ruthie Bear, Molokai on the owl softies Stella & Stewart and Magic Garden (again - it is just that great) on bunny softie Betsy or is that Basil??
Check out Kim's online boutique - http://meylah.com/retromama
Etsy shop - http://www.etsy.com/shop/retromama
Oh and don't forget to check out her blog to see what's happening in the world of a Retromama.
Thanks Kim for everything - Can't wait to see what softie is next!!!!!


Next up the amazing bags from Clover & Violet...

Clara and Jennie are a mother-daughter duo who make up Clover & Violet.  A fantastic online site that carries PDF sewing patterns of anything your heart could desire of...  From diaper bags and handbags to clutches and travel bags, Clara & Jennie have it covered!  I was lucky enough to find them online & get a chance to work with them.  Check out their latest patterns (featuring Blend Fabrics on their covers) The Stella Bag, a diaper bag that has the room of a traditional bag, but not the look and The Charlotte Bag, a purse that has a lot of style for it's small size!  

Go to www.cloverandviolet.com to shop their patterns, check out their free tutorials or just read their blog.  Thanks to both Clara & Jennie & I look forward to working with them again real soon!!


This past Quilt Market in May, I meet so many great designers who do such amazing things with fabric. Carrie from Such Designs is one of these fabulous designers!  I was so excited to talk with her & brainstorm some ideas for a few of our collections and she was excited to get her hands on our Crabtastic collection by Maude Asbury.   Check out her Wonky Little Houses Quilt Pattern using Crabtastic...

What a perfect pattern to show-off all the fun details from this collection.  Lobsters, newsprint, utensils and condiments - everything you need plus the perfect pattern to make your own seaside picnic blanket.
I really look forward to seeing what else Carrie can do with some of our latest collections.
Check out her website www.suchdesigns.com to see all her wonderful patterns and don't forget to read her blog.  Where else would you see a perfectly good quilt thrown in a pool...  Thanks Carrie for sharing!!

Lastly & I hope you all know this already, but we have some wonderful quilt patterns free to download on our website.  From tropical fish to kid's hopscotch, from an array of geos to Christmas trees - There is something for everyone!!  Go to www.blendfabrics.com and click on the "projects" link to find the next quilt you will make.  Oh & don't forget to go to "where to buy" to find where you can purchase Blend Fabrics near you!  Here are a couple of our fun free projects available to download from one of our fabulous quilt designers, Mary Kay Davis for Threads on the Floor...

American Dream featuring Vintage Summer by Little Yellow Bicycle - a perfect summertime blanket for picnics and parties or for cheering on your favorite team at the Olympics - Go Team USA (see the little American flag blocks).

Kai - A fabulously fun quilt pattern of tropical fish featuring Molokai from Jessica Swift.   Hawaiian-inspired florals and foliage and amusing icons, Molokai is a an explosion of bold color.

Find these patterns and many more on our website... and don't forget to keep checking back with us to see our new collections and quilt patterns or just to see what is going on with our designers and the world of Blend.  Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest!!  Cheers!!!

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Spring Promise designer Ana Davis

Hi Everyone!  My name is Ana Davis and I am an artist, creative director, illustrator, and pattern designer.  I began knitting, crocheting, and sewing when I was 6.
This photo was taken around the time I began to sew.

I studied various forms of art through-out lower, middle, and high school and I have always been obsessed with color.



I often dream about color, and have for as long as I can remember.  In one dream from my childhood I entered a room where there was a wall full of tiny, white drawers.  As I opened the drawers, I found that each one was filled with intricate objects of single color.  I opened every single drawer just for the surprise and pleasure of seeing the color they contained.

My love of color and creation led me to a fine art major in college.  I spent  years in printmaking, painting, and drawing studios.   I still love to draw and a favorite summer pastime of mine is sketching the flowers in our garden.

While working toward my undergraduate degree, I also studied three dimensional art.  In keeping with my preoccupation with pattern design and sewing, I managed to cast patterns in bronze and sew pillows and quilts for my sculpture class.  In the midst of the conceptual art movement, sewing was very much out of step.  But since then, the disciplines I have so loved since my childhood have been embraced with renewed respect.

These days it seems everywhere I look there is a groundswell of excitement for the ingenuity, craftsmanship, and utter beauty of quilts and crafts.  It is a thrill to be involved with these movements & an honor to have my fabric patterns available to the incredible artists and designers who might use them.

My first fabric collection for Blend Fabrics is Spring Promise (which is now shipping!)... I tried to bring together the beauty of traditional motifs with the energy of contemporary color and the whimsy of modern geometrics.

 

I really hope you like my designs and I cannot wait for the pleasure and surprise of seeing the intricate objects they become.  Happy creating everyone!!

~Ana

One more thing... Check out blendfabrics.com for my latest collection shipping in August 2012... Animal Parade!

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Hello from Cori Dantini

Hi Everyone!  My name is Cori Dantini and I am stopping by Blend's blog to share a bit about myself.

Firstly... I would love to dress like my paper ladies and explore the world in their skirts, with sassy princess hair and fancy boots to stomp through puddles.  But in truth... typically you will find me among bottles of paint, glue & ink with bits of wordy paper clinging to the bottom of my slippers.

I live in a town called Pullman in Eastern Washington, which is nestled in the rolling wheat fields of the Palouse.  In fact this is my home town, the one where I went to high school (and then college), the one where my mom lives...
The place where I first picked up a paint brush!  I suppose you could say this is the place where it all started (I have never thought about it like that until this moment, but it is true)!  I graduated from WSU in 1993 (I think) with a BFA in painting and a minor in printmaking.  From graduating 'til now... I have done a lot of different things but mostly I have opened doors and walked in the room.

Door 1 - Sign Painter
Door 2 - Clip Art Designer (Yes... I sold my soul)
Door 3 - Greeting Card Designer
Door 4 - Commercial Illustrator
Door 5 - Etsy
Door 6 - Art/Craft Fair Vendor
Door 7 - Licensing... This has been the most exciting doors and it has led me to one of the best doors... Blend Fabrics!!!!  Which then led to my very first fabric collection - Beauty is You.

The past 2 years have been a bit of a whirlwind (a tornado might describe it better).  I have been working on loads of different things from Beauty is You (my fabric line here at Blend Fabrics) to a gift line which you will be seeing out on the shelves later this year.  I have also finished my first 12 month calender (2013) with Amber Lotus, my first full line of greeting cards CALYPSO, day planners, journals and a small 7inch calender with Orange Circle Studio.  Oh... Plus I run my Etsy shop (where I sell limited edition archival prints), and last but by no  means least, I do a series of art/craft shows every year.  Needless to say this has kept me busy!  Check out some of my prints..

At the moment I am getting ready for my first two shows of the season, but trying to fit in a series of new paintings.  So... Off I go to the studio, to get organized, and if I am lucky pick up a pint brush.

Don't forget to check out my new fabric line, Beauty is You by Blend Fabrics  - Now Shipping!

OOX,

Cori

www.corid.etsy.com

www.coridantinimakes.blogspot.com

Represented by Sheila Meehan, Meehan Design Group, 503-281-4881

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"The Best of the Best"... and More to Come!

For the last few months, I have been searching for the "best of the best" pattern designers for Blend to partner with to create fabulous inspirational projects for all of you.  I have searched blogs and websites and even Pinterest (I know that was a couple tough hours at work :) and I am pretty confident that we have have not only found the right partners, but that they are even better than I could have dreamed!!  While many of them are busy busy busy creating fabulous projects with our fabrics... I do have a sneak peek at one of my favorites...



Curby's Closet, among other things, is all about Quilted Baby Shoes for Newborns through 9 months.  Original and sweet little baby shoes that are soft and comfy and are just "Too cute to kick-off"!!
If you love to quilt, sew or give adorable and unique baby gifts then Curby's Closet shoe patterns are for you.  Make your own baby shoes with their easy-to-make patterns...  Choose from many styles like: Cowboy Boots, Loafers and even Ballet Shoes. Other styles (above) featured in Blend's fabrics are...  In Magic Garden's Happiness and Garden Gate prints is the Baby Ankle Strap (left), in Homespun Chic's Birdies and Stitches Roses is the Baby Mary Jane (center), and in Babysaurus' Dino Dots is the Baby High Top (right).  You can find these styles and many more at over a hundred quilt shops in the U.S., Canada, Australia and South Africa or online at www.curbyscloset.com.
Thanks to Chris at Curby's Closet for partnering with Blend on this adventure and for the fabulous shoes & patterns...  Stay tuned for more from Chris because you just never know what you will find inside Curby's Closet! Pin It

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Another Stitch Social Deal of the Week

Check out the latest Stitch Social Deal of the Week featuring Blend Fabrics!

The Modern Basket Weave Quilt Kit is created with the Calypso Collection by Maude Asbury.  The kit includes the Quilt Craftable Pattern, Calypso fabrics for quilt blocks in Spindle Turquoise, Dot Grey and Leaf Olive, and Calypso fabrics for backing and binding in Kite Tails Turquoise.  All this plus free shipping for only $34.50 - Hurry only 3 days left!! Pin It

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Stitch Social - Deal of the Week

Hey Everyone - Check out the "Deal of the Week" from Stitch Social...

The Reversible Bucket Bag Project Kit featuring Blend's Homespun Chic Collection by Melody Ross. The Reversible Bucket Bag Craftable project, taken from The Bag Making Bible by Lisa Lam, walks you thru every step of how to make each component of a bucket handbag.  The Kit includes everything you need from the fabulous Homespun Chic fabrics to all the tools to create every part yourself.
HURRY - the deal ends February 26th at 11:59 AM EST. Pin It

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Hello from Jules Davis.

Hello... I am Jules Davis, designer of the Garden of Delights Collection for Blend Fabrics.

I am a designer, art director, illustrator and founder of Brand Bird, a full-service visual communications company specializing in brand development.  I've been in business for longer than I care to divulge in a numeric fashion - Let's just say a lengthy stretch!  I've done all manners of design from branding to licensing style guides (including Barbie and the Powerpuff Girls) to making props for film and TV.

While living in L.A., I worked on the first Shrek style guide and got to see the film in animated form from DreamWorks before it was finished.  I moved to Atlanta to be an art director in consumer products with Cartoon Network.  That made me a rock-star to my niece, who got the royal tour and loads of free PPG S.W.A.G.

Surface design for retail results in lasting objects that people can interact with and enjoy... That makes it a bit more meaningful - and let's face it - I am a shameless consumer!  My design is informed by my love of travel (been to 14 countries and 45 states thus far) and fashion (I also have a degree in fashion illustration).  I love the mid-century modern minimalist aesthetic and I believe the best education comes from motion and change.    

Random facts:  I zen out over jigsaw puzzles (super nerdy) and I get crazy-excited interacting with wild animals.  If you have ever been licked by a giraffe... You get it!  

Blend is my first exciting foray into fabric.  Developing a full collection was a bit of an education.  The Fall Quilt Market in Houston was great  fun and an honor to be exhibiting along the likes of Amy Butler and Ty Pennington (who FYI, is super-delicious in person) as well as the other fabulous Blend designers.  I was thrilled for my collection to be one of the first out of the gate for the Blend evolution into stationery and gifts.

                  


You can find more of my work on products for modern-twist, iPop, Lamp-in-a-box and Alluminare.  You can also find me at www.brandbird.com, twitter, and flickr.

I am currently working on my next fabric collection and look forward to being a part of Blend as they bloom and grow.                                                    

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