Cherry House Quilts

200th Post!

  It's the 200th post for Cherry House Quilts!  It's hard to believe that there have been 200 of these entries.  Some of you have been with us since the beginning...thank you!  Lizzy and I have come a long way since we started this adventure 18 months ago.  At Market last week we talked about all of the changes that we have experienced since our first market last year.  We went to the George R. Brown with hat in hand, just hoping someone would give us an opportunity.  We talked about our goals and objectives that we had when we walked in the door.  Lizzy wanted to get a fabric deal, and I wanted to find a fabric company to work with.  Well, one year later Lizzy Dish is about to hit the stores, and I have a great relationship with Robert Kaufman, and Andover.  Just last week Lizzy, Ashlee, and I discussed our goals and objectives for 2009.  I have to tell you, without telling too much, our goals and plans are well under way. 

Thank you to everyone who has believed in us, who have bought our patterns, and have shared this adventure from all over the world...we truly value you! 

Stay tuned, there is so much to come!

Cherri

Quilt Market Update (and not one single photo)

Hi Friends,

Market was a crazy/busy 4 days of business and fun!  In fact I was so busy I forgot my camera every single day.  No one should be in such a hurry that they forget their camera.  Lizzy was kind enough to take a few photos for me, so as soon as I have them, I'll be sure to post. 

Here's a run down of some of our events...

• Friday evening Fabric 2.0 party atop the Hilton.  Caroline Devoy is too fun, with a wicked sense of humor - my kind of girl!  There were all kinds of quilty/blogging celebs there, but I was too much of a nervous Nelly to introduce myself, so I entertained Ashlee and Julie  with my fine drawing skills (if you've ever seen my artistic renderings - you know this was meant to amuse them only)

• Friday evening - a few hours later; Lizzy, Ashlee, Julie and I helped at the Andover table for sample spree.  Holy cow what a frenzied, fast paced exchange of fabric and money.  It was a lot of fun to see everyone so excited, and in such a happy mood.  The line to get into sample spree was so long; and the line to get to the Moda table seemed never ending.

• Saturday - Market officially began!  Thank goodness for Ashlee - she has been home for the last month to assist me in getting ready for Market.  She has sewn, cut & ironed fabric, cooked, cleaned, whatever was necessary she has done.  We had lots of appointments on Saturday and Ashlee kept me on target, and on-time to every one. 

• Besides the appointments, I had to check on all of my quilts at their various locations.  Five quilts at Robert Kaufman, two quilts at Andover, and City News at Brewers booth.  Plus, Robert Kaufman has recreated I Do with their new Hot Blossom fabric line.  It looks really good in the fall colors they selected. 

• Sunday - Lizzy was interviewed by the wonderful Annie Smith for her podcast Quilting Stash.  Lizzy and Ashlee shared their musical talents by singing for Annie, and I even got to say a few words - my first interview!  We will post a link as soon as the interview is available. 

• A couple of other cool things that happened...first of all - we got to meet Jay McCarrol of Project Runway fame...what a sweet, down to earth guy!  We were able to visit with Laura Nownes & Diana McClun; who along with Dale Fleming last year helped Lizzy's fabric dreams become a reality.  We also were able to spend a few minutes with Heather Bailey, and Laura Gunn; Pam Kitty Morning & Elizabeth Scott, as well as Gina from Quilter's Buzz.  I finally worked up the nerve to introduce myself to Jane Sassaman - she was so kind, and gracious.  Another sweet, gentle soul we met was Jenean Morrison who has a fabric line with FreeSpirit.  Annie Smith introduced us to Mark Lipinski, only to find out that one of his favorite restaurants is Pappasito's in our little town of Humble, Texas.  Oh, and I only made a bit of a fool of myself when I blurted out to Katie Pasquini "I love your work, you are a great inspiration to me".  What a goober  I am, I should be locked up, and not allowed to ride in elevators with famous people.

• Okay, last but not least - Florin - the new quilt I introduced you to here will be in an upcoming issue of Quick Quilts Magazine, and all of my quilts featured in Robert Kaufman's Kona Cotton display are going to be on TV in Portland, Oregon on November 4th.  My quilts are going to be on TV...how fun is that? 

Well my friends, that was Fall Market 2008.  Sorry about the lack of photos, as soon as I beg/borrow/steal some, I'll post them right here!

Cherri

To Market To Market

  I know, I know, this isn't quilt market, but it is a market, and it could be an idea for a quilt.  Well, after so many hours of sewing & preparing Market has arrived.  Last night we went to Andover's dinner where Sugar Snap was presented - and well received (hallelujah).  Today will be School House (mini classes where designers and manufacturers introduce their products), and tonight Sample Spree (crazy mad dash shopping).  Julie will present a school house on cross marketing between the quilting and scrapbooking worlds.  She will also preview Sugar Snap, and give a preview to their Hey Sugar fabric line.   If any of you lovely folks are scrapbooker as well as quilters, pop over to Cosmo Cricket's blog for an opportunity to win a bunch of paper products...$150.00 prize!

A special thank you to everyone for your good wishes to Lizzy and me about market, her fabric line Lizzy Dish, and our quilts.  We truly consider you lovelies our friends, and we are so thankful for all of you, and your continuous support. 

Okay...time for the most comfortable walking shoes I can find - I'm off to Market!

Race to Market Part 1

Ta da (drum roll please) we have here, not one but two new quilts for Market...

Presenting Sugar Snap - you guys are going to love this quilt - so quick to make, this is perfect for all types of fabrics.  Batiks, novelties, anything really.  This will be a free pattern on Andover's website sometime after Market.  I've created this quilt using Hey Sugar by Cosmo Cricket.  

Presenting City Fair made with glorious Kona Cotton Solids from Robert Kaufman.  There is magic in City Fair, but you can't see it up close, and with only this small sliver of quilt to go by.   

Okay, two quilts down, two to go!  Back to work for me...

Lizzy Dish has arrived!!!!!!!!!!!!

Holy cow, could we cut it any closer?  Lizzy Dish is finally here, oh, 3 days before Market.  What kind of miracle can I perform with only 3 days to go?  I'm not sure - maybe a tiny miracle will do.  Wish me luck, I am going to need it, in order to ceate something so fabulous for my precious girl, with so little time.

Here's your first look at the real deal, fresh from Korea, not even removed from the box...

   

Hey Sugar Fat Quarter Giveaway

  My cousin Eric and his sweet wife Julie are the creative wonders behind Cosmo Cricket, and their latest line of fabric with Andover is Hey Sugar (which I really, really love).  I had the awesome privilege of making their quilt for market - it is too cute, and a snap to make!  Eric and Julie are having a contest over on their blog; they are giving away two sets of Hey Sugar Fat Quarters. 

Here's the rules...leave them a comment telling how you would use this fabric in your scrapbooking, altered books, card making, or any enhancement to your paper crafts.  They will pick their favorite two, and those lucky two will receive some amazing fabric.  I have to tell, this fabric is so soft - so not only is it wonderful for your projects, but it feels great too! 

So pop over to their blog, and share your crafty fabric/paper ideas.  

The Grand Prize Winner Is...

Maranda...yeah for you!!!  You have won 28 amazing fat quarters.  I'll email you, and get your address.

Cherri

Three cheers for the walking foot

I love my sewing machine, and I love the  walking foot!  There are some quilts that just need straight line quilting.  Some experimenting was called for in regards to the quilting for Florin', I tried several options, but nothing is more clean, or defining as simple straight lines. This fabric is so rich and glorious, it only needs an opportunity to show off.  Held against a window the quilt looks like the most beautiful stained glass.  The quilting is finished, and only the binding needs to be sewn down.

           

Don't forget to stop by @ 2:00 PM for the announcement of our Fall into Fall winner.

Cherri

48 hours to go!

Are you guys so excited that the Fall into Fall Contest is coming to a close, and that within 48 hours lots of folks will be winning lots of cool stuff?  I'm excited to know who will be winning 28 beautiful Fat Quarters from Robert Kaufman!  It's going to kind of be like Christmas morning, checking under the Christmas tree to see who has received what.  I'll announce my winner @ 2:00 PM, and post it here.  For me the great prize has been getting to know so many of you.  Thank you introducing yourself, and sharing something special about yourselves, and your lives.  Some of the things that you have shared have been funny - chickens named for the Bronte sisters, some things have been sad - making a quilt for someone dying - some things have been close to my heart - watching the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown every single year!  I'm do apologize for not being able to respond to everyone individually.  With losing power for TWO WEEKS (insert grumble sounds here) every spare minute has been spent trying to play catch up for Market. 

Be sure and check back soon for the prize winner, as well as for lots of photos of new quilts that are in the works.  In the next day or two I'll be posting photos of Florin - our latest pattern created with beautiful Imperial Fusions fabric from Robert Kaufman. 

Okay my friends, until then take care of yourselves, and each other.  If by chance you haven't had an opportunity to join the Fall into Fall contest, do it quick - before you run out of time.  Just a leave comment, and tell us something about yourself that we don't know...or introduce yourself.

Cherri

Fall into Fall - One more reveal

Hi Friends,

First of all, thank you so much for your kind birthday wishes!  It was such a lovely day, the best birthday that I've had in a long time. 

Here's a look at the last set of Fat Quarters in our Fall into Fall giveaway.  I'm curious if everyone is entering all 40+ contests or are you picking and choosing?  This is kind of like a shop hop, hopping from blog to blog to blog.  Are you having fun?  Have you found lots of great prizes?  I love prizes!  I love winning prizes even more!!!  Asian Legacy by Lunn Studios for Robert Kaufman, Artisan Batiks division, vintage colorstory, 10 pieces.  To see more about this beautiful line, click here.

How to win a total of 28 Robert Kaufman amazing, and glorious fat quarters?  Just leave a comment here, and tell us something special about yourself, or if you are a quiet lurker peep, come on out and introduce yourselves.  Let's think about this for a minute...28 fat quarters...you could make two small quilts from that much fabric.  One for you, and one for a friend, or just one big quilt for yourself, or several small wallhangings, or purses...holy cow this is a lot of fabric...7 yards!

Okay friends, I'm off now, back to sewing, back to planning, back to cutting, back to getting ready for Fall Quilt Market!!! 

Cherri