Quilt Nebraska 2009

We've just returned from a weekend vending at Quilt Nebraska at the Cornhusker Hotel in Lincoln, Nebraska. Here are some pics from our merchant mall booth.

One of the favorite items in our booth were these great ornaments from Under the Garden Moon. Amy let us borrow some of her gorgeous samples for the weekend. Thanks, Amy! I couldn't believe how quick these went together. I'm not very good at sitting around with idle hands, so I had the set of Fall Ornaments and the Valentine Ornaments prepped and ready to stitch. I actually finished 10 of the Fall Ornaments and 4 of the Valentines just while tending our booth. If you need a quick and easy project, be sure to check these out on our website. We've got wool felt packs for them too - so you don't even have to stress about which colors to buy. Check them out here: http://www.prairiepointjunction.com/woolfeltpatterns.html#moon




Our display of patterns . . .

You can also see the Bouncing Baby Boy Flannel quilt in the background. Give us a call (308-784-2010) if you need a baby quilt that can be completed in an afternoon. We simply added a piano key border to this panel. Available in pink for little girls too.

Most of the projects pictured below are not on our website yet, but give us a call if you are interested in any of the kits or patterns.

1. Cream Quilt with Snowflakes: Made from the neutral fabrics in the Frosted Memories Layer Cake

2. Red/Green Quilt with Stars: Large throw made from the book Big Blocks, Big Quilts using the dark prints in the Frosted Memories Layer Cake.

3. Figgy Pudding Quilt: Check out the free pattern at http://www.unitednotions.com/un_main.nsf/free_patterns. We have a limited number of kits available.

4. Warm Winter Wishes: Wall Quilt with Cardinals, snowflakes, and flying geese. Project by Cottage Creek Quilts, kits available. Pattern is posted on our website here: http://www.prairiepointjunction.com/winter_patterns.htm#cottage

5. By The Verse: Fall and Winter made with the Figgy Pudding Charms. This is an original design by our shop. Order the pattern here: http://www.prairiepointjunction.com/patterns.htm

6. Chocolate Covered Cherries: Blue/Brown quilt. The pattern actually shows this quilt in pinks and browns - but who can resist this color combo too? Order the pattern here: http://www.prairiepointjunction.com/favorite_patterns.htm

7. Get Strippy With It: Original pattern by our shop. Jumbo rick-rack accents strips in this quick-to-piece quilt. Find the pattern here: http://www.prairiepointjunction.com/patterns.htm

8. Create by Cottage Creek Quilts: We used fabrics from Fig Tree quilts to give this pattern a shabby-chic flair. Order the pattern here: http://www.prairiepointjunction.com/winter_patterns.htm#cottage

9. Sweet Sugar Swirls using the Patisserie Honey Bun by Fig Tree Quilts.

Stop by the shop, give us a call (308-784-2010), or visit the website at www.prairiepointjunction.com to see all the great new products we showcased.

And the winner is . . .

Letty of Ventura, CA.

Congratulations Letty and thanks to all who submitted entries for our random prize drawing in the "Flower Shower" challenge! We were definitely showered with some amazing wool felt flowers by talented artisans from around the country. Keep up the beautiful work and don't forget to check back for our next challenge to be posted in August where you too could be the winner of a fabulous prize from Prairie Point Junction!

Kelli
The Guest Blogger

Flowers, Flowers, Everywhere

Our Flower Shower Challenge is going strong. Have you submitted your entry yet? Need a reminder? Here's a little summary of the rules . . . Plus a few quick snaps of some flowers from my front porch.



Use your garden for inspiration or go for a walk in a nearby park to check out the gorgeous lilies and daisies in bloom. Not only will you find it inspirational, but it’s good for your heart too!

- finished project must include a least one flower and incorporate wool felt
- embellishment with stitching or beading is encouraged
- a photo of your completed project must be submitted by Friday, July 17
- please email photos to ppjguestblogger@yahoo.com- include a brief description of your item along with your name and location (Example: Julie G., Cozad, NE) with your email
- only one entry per person
- The winning entry will be randomly selected and posted on the blog the weekend of July 18th
- The winning entrant will be notified by email

What can you win?

Your choice of 12 wool felt 12” x 18” pieces & a wool felt swatch card

Total value: $27.80

Flower Shower Continues . . .

Have you taken a minute to submit your entry for our flower shower challenge? We're so excited to see all your creations.

Just in case you need a little more inspiration to get you started, we'd like to introduce you to Heidi Ryan. Heidi uses such clever stitching to accent her pins. Love those zigzags to spice things up.

Here's an interview with Heidi to answser some of your wool felt questions:

1. What lead you to open an Etsy shop selling your felt creations?

I thought that opening up an Etsy shop would be a great way to make some extra cash, but also a portal to disperse my stock....if I kept everything I ever made, I'd have no room in my house! Being creative is such an important part of my life...and the fact that people want to buy things that I make is a real compliment.

2. There's always a debate about whether wool felt should be pre-washed or not prior to using it. What are your thoughts on the issue?

I think that if you like the look of the felt after it is washed, go for it. I don't think it's necessary, unless it's part of your design. I've made complete pins before and then thrown them in with a load of clothes to get a different look. I've also accidentally washed them after leaving them on a shirt...but I always like how they turn out! But normally, I do not wash the felt before using it.

3. What do you find inspiration for your projects?

I find inspiration everywhere...this is a cliche for anyone creative, but I always think of ideas when I'm trying to fall asleep at night. Color is always so inspiring too, I LOVE all things colorful...and I think that's apparent in my designs!

4. Where can fans find you online?

You can find me online at: pinksparrow.etsy.com

Thanks for sharing your tips with us, Heidi.

More Flower Shower Ideas

I stand completely in awe of all the amazing things people can do with wool felt. If you think of only penny-rugs and country inspired projects when you hear about wool felt, you've never dipped into the amazing online community of crafters out there.

Today I'd like to introduce Thine-Marie Van Blommestein. She has lived in Texas, Colorado, California, North Carolina, England and Denmark in the past ten years. Wool felt has been the perfect, portable project to take along on all her moves.

Thine-Marie shares her answers to our interview:

1. What inspired you to start creating with wool felt?

Well, I am kind of lazy and felt is really easy to work with. It doesn't fray or require any special treatment. I prefer wool felt to acrylic because of the superior quality and appearance, and the fabulous colors wool felt is available in. Acrylic felt is also glossier and does not photograph as well.

2. Tell us a little bit about the diverse array of wool felt projects you create.


I make hair accessories like hair clips and headbands, brooches, vase fillers, cake toppers, Christmas decorations, "disco" balls and wall art. I have two shops on Etsy where I sell accessories (shoozieshoes.etsy.com) and home decor pieces (heymiemie.etsy.com).


3. Where do you find inspiration for your projects?

Fashion magazines, home decor stores, flowers, nature, colors, fabric and Children's books. And sometimes the buyers themselves come up with the most amazing projects. One of the biggest and most challenging pieces to date is the necklace wreath I made for a large toy animal in a baby nursery. It is made up out of clusters of over 20 individually handmade felt flowers. The piece is finished with hand-embroidered leaves and is made to tie around the neck of the animal with a satin ribbon bow.

Hope you've been inspired by all of Thine-Marie's creations.

Another Bit of Inspiration

How are your flowers coming along for our little flower shower challenge? Don' know where to start? Here's another bit of inspiration to get you going.


I'd like to introduce Amanda Rosander of Berkley's Clippies. I met Amanda online as a customer of our shop. Her adorable clippies makes me want to have a little girl to dress. (Well, almost anyway) (I have a 6 year old boy). I think I'll just admire her creations and save them for all the mommies of little princesses out there.


Here's a little interview with Amanda to give you a behind the scenes peek at her designs:



1. What lead you to start creating wool felt flowers as a business?



My designs have taken a very long but fun road. When my daughter was born, I really, really loved the typical "big bows", but thought they looked ridiculous on my daughter's tiny head. She had a darling dress with a fabric flower attached to it and I remember thinking, "that would make THE cutest hair clip!" After a few months of playing around with fabric, I tried wool felt and fell instantly in love! The versatility, the wide array of colors to choose from, and most of all, the uniqueness of the fabric just sold me!


2. Where do you find inspiration for your creations?


Inspiration comes from 2 areas: my daughter's clothes for the most part and then also little spurts of color combinations "come" to me at random times.


3. I noticed that you had been featured on several blogs and even a magazine. Any tips for other crafters on getting their products noticed?



Being featured by magazines and/or blogs has been THE best part of it all! I love it when someone takes a second to let me know that they truly enjoy my little creations. Getting your product "out there" takes a lot of time and even more patience. If you are taking your creations to a "business level", you must invest your time in multiple areas and just hope that 1 or more get noticed. Marketing has been the biggest challenge for me. I'm not by nature a sales person and I literally have to force myself to make those calls and send those types of emails. The best tip I can pass on would be to offer samples of your product to a wide assortment of bloggers, shop/boutique owners, and websites.


4. Where can fans find your creations online?

Berkley's Clippies are available at http://www.berkleysclippies.com/ and also on Etsy at: http://www.berkleysclippies.etsy.com/


Thanks for sharing with us, Amanda!