Our Newest Quilt Book

Monday, October 18, 2010


Barb and I are just about ready to go to quilt market in Houston, Texas. Our book went to the printer today and we should have copies by next Monday. I am thrilled to say the least. I'm always glad to make a deadline. This baby is 84 pages! (Being an old labor and deliver nurse I feel like I can call this project a baby....lots of labor and at the end of the process you are thrilled with what you take home...or in this case, what we will take to market.)

I had my first baby the "natural" way. By the time I was almost done with the labor part and ready to have the baby, they could have thrown me off of the top of the building and I wouldn't have cared one bit. I would have screamed, "thank you!!!!!" all the way to the ground. (Luckily, this project wasn't that painful.)

When Barb and I go to market, we stand in our booth and look like we are smart, organized and very creative. But it's a lie.....we have the help of many wonderful people to get us anywhere. WE could never make our deadlines without them. Edie McGinnis, our editor is one of the people that makes us look and sound good. I know I've written a small paragraph about her help in our books....but really, it seems inadequate when I think about what she does for us. Her creative writing skills add much to our text. It was her idea to replace my subtitle "Quilts and Projects Inspired by Our Love of the Garden with her catchy phrase "A Bouquet of Quilts and Projects". Much better, right?

Jane Miller does our technical edits. I'm so grateful for her. No one wants me to do a technical edit and no one is calling Barb and asking her to do one either. Plenty of people are calling Jane though.

Jeanne Zyck our quilter....we really don't know why she answers the phone when we call. (She has caller ID too!) She gets the quilt from us in the evening and has it ready the next day for us. And it looks fabulous! She quilted 5 quilts for us in 5 days so we could make our deadline.

Eric Sears does our drawings....he was up until all hours last night getting the final drawings done. And he never complains. (You are probably wondering where we find these folks!)

Alissa Christianson charts all of our cross stitch patterns. She never fails to get them to us quickly. We wouldn't have any cross stitch patterns without her. Barb and I don't have a clue how to chart a pattern on the computer.

Barb's Mom is in her 80's. She works all hours of the day and night trying to get the applique and sewing done for Barb. Barb couldn't get it all done without her mom's help.

And many thanks to our printer. You have no idea how I abuse those folks. I've been working with Kelly Shanks and Terry Ward from Boelte Hall for about 11 years. Terry even offered to drive the books to Houston if they couldn't get them done in time.

And last but certainly not least....we thank all of you for your readership, suggestions, support and for sharing your projects with us. We are inspired by your work and grateful for all of you!

More about our fabric line in the next couple of days!

Until later,

Alma

49 comments

  1. Alma, It looks beautiful...you and Barb have a great market!

    ReplyDelete
  2. can't wait to see you at market!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Congrats on the new book! I will look for it in the local shops here!
    Karen from Nebraska

    ReplyDelete
  4. Alma,

    I can not wait to have the book in my collection. It looks beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh I can't wait! So exciting! I tend to notice cross stitch market more than quilt, but I enjoy following the quilt market too -- especially to see what you ladies are up to. Good luck -- have fun!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Congratulations on your new baby. I love all of your books and will put an order in at Amazon for a copy soon. Have fun at market - I wish I could be there again - Hugs Nat

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am already clearing a spot on my bookshelf...Congratulations on your new book. I love all of them.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love the cover photo, can't wait to see what is inside.
    I will have to look for it when it hits the stores in my area.

    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  9. That cover of the book looks like the best one yet! I CANNOT wait.............so excited!! Have fun at market too!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Looks like another wonderful book!! Can't wait to get my hands on a copy. Have fun at market!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh, I can't wait for the new book. Like always I love everything you do. The cover is very inviting!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I can't wait to see the book - It looks lovely in the photo :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wonderful! I'll have to keep an eye open for this one. I was looking through quilt patterns at our local quilt shop the other day, and just couldn't find anything that wasn't applique that thrilled me. I just like to applique, I guess.

    I bought Wild Pomegranate about a month (or so) ago and have been busy collecting fabric and making bias strips for the stems! I think it is a gorgeous quilt. Thanks ladies!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Congratulations on your new book! It looks beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Looks fabulous, I did wonder how you managed it al LOL. Wonderful to have such a great team for your wonderful charts & books.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh Alma...you and Barb are awesome...and you're always wonderful in your booth! I'm so excited you're taking your book to Houston...the shops will be so happy! Hope your Market is a great one...I still miss Market...but retirement is wonderful1

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love everything that y'all do. Can't wait to visit with y'all at market. Will y'all have a school house session and will I be able to purchase the new book at market? See you at market.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Soo looking forward to look into this one!! :o)
    Well done girls!! :O)

    ReplyDelete
  19. You gals are a truly a treasure and appreciate any and all that is done, that's why the people you choose to work with also choose you. Can hardly wait to see yet another incredible book - they are all works of art.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Looks Lovely - will it be distrubuted un Australia and by whom - cant wait

    ReplyDelete
  21. congrat's !!! enjoy your moment in the sun at market.

    ReplyDelete
  22. The book looks great. When will you have the halloween rachel's wheel available?

    ReplyDelete
  23. I am excited as always to get your new book....I have most all of them! Love you work!

    ReplyDelete
  24. So glad you have lots of help. You guys are the cat's meow and more! You are so loved in the stitching and quilting world, you know it??? ♥'s to both of you! Enjoy market!

    ReplyDelete
  25. What a gorgeous and inspiring new book. I would love to have a closer look and maybe one day, even get to see you both at a show or a class - one can have dreams :>)
    Your team sounds like a dream team too. They obviously have a huge love for the work they do and the people they are working for.
    Angela xx

    ReplyDelete
  26. You didn't mention photography - I love all your photos! Even when I know I won't get to the projects for a long time, I'll buy your books just for the photos.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Always looking forward to your next book!!! and your fabric!!

    Love you guys! Thank you for being creative so we can be!!
    christine

    ReplyDelete
  28. Looking forward to seeing this book on the shelves. As wonderful as your team sounds, lets face it, without you two guys and your creative talents....
    I can't make Houston this year and I will really miss seeing both of you!

    ReplyDelete
  29. OMG! You forgot to thank the guy in the garage, with the saw thingy that makes all those pincushions and cooks those meals and gives great massages when you're tired after a long drive back from the beach - He loads the car, makes sure you have plenty of gas, he unpacks - oh the shame of it all. But I still worship the shrine of BBD! :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. I already pre ordered mine to add to my collection..Love your stuff!!

    ReplyDelete
  31. This is tempting, but I would appreciate some sneak peaks inside the book, is that possible?

    ReplyDelete
  32. Oooo - I can hardly wait to get a peek at your book!! I'm currently working on "Holly and Mistletoe" from your book "When the Cold Wind Blows". I'm so please with how it is turning out and can hardly wait to add another of your books to my library!!
    Judie

    ReplyDelete
  33. Ahh yes another beautiful book from the lovely blackbird ladies.Can't wait to get my hands on one. A big thankyou to your team that make it all possible.Have a great market,
    Bronwyn

    ReplyDelete
  34. Alma, I am more of a cross stitcher than a quilter, but I love to look at quilts and I love EVERYTHING you guys do, so I am looking forward to this new book and It will probably be added to my Blackbird collection :-). Looking forward to your fabric line too !!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Congrats on your new book. I love all of your quilt and cross stitch designs. Are you going to publish the last 3 designs for the Remember Me series?? Keep up the good work.

    ReplyDelete
  36. I am really going to have to work on my favorite fabric/quilt store here in G.J. Co to carry more of your books and to get your fabric line! Everything you do is right up my allie!!!

    ReplyDelete
  37. et nous nous vous remercions de vos merveilleuses créations - une fan indéfectible
    http:/nadineunedeuxx.canalblog.com

    ReplyDelete
  38. I love the cover...so pretty!!! Can't wait to see it in my hands!!

    Kathy in MA

    ReplyDelete
  39. Looks wonderful!

    Have fun at market. :-)

    Cynthia

    ReplyDelete
  40. Alma, congratulations on the wonderful book. Quick question--will you be releasing the needle/tread roll pattern (mentioned in August posting)? I really love that design too!

    ReplyDelete
  41. I cannot wait for this book! Please let us know as soon as it's available!!
    Thanks for all you do,
    Karen L.

    ReplyDelete
  42. I'm drooling! Can't wait to get my hands on this book. Thanks to ALL for their hard work.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Can't wait to see you new book! Just finished a "Simply Vintage" quilt which is going to raise funds for a camp for children with cancer. Posted a photo on my blog...

    ReplyDelete
  44. What a pretty piece, can't wait for the book of class pieces!!!! Travel safe and have fun :-).

    ReplyDelete
  45. Hi Alma,

    I wonder if you have a distributor in the UK? I have looked for your books at quilt shows here in England, but with no luck so far.... Otherwise maybe somebody here would be good enoough to recommend an online quilt shop in the U.S. that I could contact?

    Many thanks!

    Jackie (in England)

    ReplyDelete
  46. Dear Alma,
    I am expecting your new book from cotton patch shoppe,MS and I am sure it is a great one ,once again.I also want let you know my HSH is finished ,at oct 26,22pm last stitch ,you can see it on bergamottepatch.over-blog.com and I have yet prepared all the fabrics for ...birds of a feather,shall start on the week end !your French fan ,Joelle

    ReplyDelete
  47. I will look for the book here in Omaha, NE can't wait.

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.