Art Inspiration

Thank you so much for suggesting that I follow @geninne, Wendy, I have been thoroughly enjoying her art. And a few days ago, she shared the photo above, which was a gift to her from a previous artist I shared for art inspiration, @elspethmclean - it's a small world!

Geninne is an artist living in Santa Fe, New Mexico. My husband grew up in New Mexico and we visit family there very often, so her work and photos really appeal to my sense of "home" and family.

Quilting Business Costs

Kirsty from Bonjour Quilts published a blog post last week about What it Costs to Run a Quilt Blog after a discussion was initiated in her newsletter. Her post spread quickly across all online outlets (blogs, Instagram, Facebook, and other newsletters), so it is likely you have already read or seen mention of the post.

After a bit of thought, I wanted to share a bit of open honesty about my income and costs. After working hard for several years, I am happy to say that the Quilting Jetgirl business is making money and it is looking like I will earn just a touch over $10,000 after all costs, fees, and taxes for 2018.

The main reason my income has expanded is the incorporation of adding teaching to my schedule and my work as a technical editor. Pattern sales alone are a very small, but important and appreciated aspect of my business.

Perhaps I could make industry connections by going to Quilt Market to help grow my business, but when the cost of airfare, hotel, and meals for a trip can easily account for 20-25% of my total income for the year, I currently cannot justify the outlay of expense.

This is just my personal experience and viewpoint, but I know a lot of people wonder about the actual bottom line and dollar amounts, so I thought I would share some real numbers with my newsletter subscribers. Thank you so much for your support; every little bit means a great deal to me - especially now with my husband on a year leave of absence and my income being what is putting food on the table!

My First Improv Piecing

Debbie from A Quilter's Table recently asked for quilters to send in photos and stories of their first foray into improv piecing, which she included as a round up in her last newsletter, The Scrap Basket.

I shared my first foray into improv (above). I used Jacquie Gering's Wonky Log Cabin tutorial. The first block I made was basically square, and the second one was hardly much different. I love how this quilt shows the progression of my exploration. The blocks below show the range of my growth from first to last pieced block. I even added in a pieced log in that last block!

I really appreciated getting to remember my introduction into improv. It may not be a method that I use as a go-to, but it is one that I am much more comfortable with now than when I gave it my first un-wonky try in 2012.

Have you tried improvisational piecing?

Fall 2018 Tips and Tutorials Festival

Mark your calendars! Cheryl from Meadow Mist Designs and I are excited to announce that we are co-hosing the Fall 2018 Tips and Tutorials Festival in November.

The goal of the Tips and Tutorials Festival is to share and celebrate all the wonderful online tutorials that the quilting community has created recently. You can submit up to 4 tutorials during the Fall 2018 Festival, and there are going to be 2 categories:

Block and Quilt Tutorials
Other Tutorials (Sewing, Other Sewn/Quilted Items, Quilting Tutorials)

We encourage fresh, new content, so we ask that you link up posts that have been published since November 2017 (in the past year). We will be sharing more details about the festival and how you can participate on November 2nd. If you have been thinking about sharing a tutorial, now is the time to write it!

Tips and Tutorials Schedule

Friday, November 2 – Announce Sponsors and Rules
Monday, November 12 – Submissions Open
Friday, November 16 – Submissions Close
Saturday, November 17 – Voting Opens
Tuesday, November 20 – Voting Closes
~~Happy Thanksgiving!~~
Monday, November 26 – Winners Announced

We look forward to learning from you!

Industry News

The biggest news this week is the unveiling of Ruby Star Society: designers Melody Miller, Alexia Abegg, Rashida Coleman-Hale, Kimberly Kight, and Sarah Watts. They have announced a collaboration with Moday and their first line will begin shipping in Summer 2019.

"We believe in the power of collaboration – bringing our best talents together to create something greater than any of us could have created on our own – and we are so excited to be collaborating with Moda Fabrics+Supplies to create and build this brand.

As we work with each other, with Moda, and with you, we’ll do our best to pass on our personal experiences of dreaming and scheming, falling and rising, trusting ourselves, and finding our tribe. And you’re invited to be a part of it all.

So, listen to that magical confidence, find your local fabric shop, and you’ll find your community. We’ll be there too."

Upcoming Quilting Jetgirl Events

February 24, 2019 - Transparency Quilt Design Workshop, QuiltCon 2019, Nashville, Tennessee *Sold Out / Waiting List Started
March 25, 2019 - Transparency Color Selection Tips and Tricks (with Trunk Show), Bear Valley Quilt Guild, Los Osos, CA
March 26, 2019 - Wayward Transparency Workshop, Bear Valley Quilt Guild, Los Osos, CA
April 11, 2019 - Trunk Show, Village Quilt Guild, Hot Springs, Arkansas
April 12, 2019 - Wayward Transparency Workshop, Village Quilt Guild, Hot Springs, Arkansas

This could be you and your guild! If you or your guild is interested in having me teach, reach out to me at yvonne@quiltingjetgirl.com.

I am particularly interested in developing a few relationships with quilt guilds and shops from California through Oregon, Washington, Vancouver, and Alasksa - the route that Wabi-Sabi Overland will travel May-September 2019. The timing might need to be a bit flexible, but the benefit would be that I would have no transportation costs. I would appreciate it if you would pass the word on to any friends or areas that might be interested!

In Closing...

How was your Halloween? October 31st has a whole different meaning for me and my community, but I always find renewal and joy watching people dress up for trick-or-treating with exuberance and excitement.

This year, my in-laws flew out to October 31st to visit with use for a few days, and I'm looking forward to cozy family time!

Disclosure: This newsletter may contain affiliate links. If you purchase items through my links I will earn a very small commission. You will not pay more when buying a product through my link, in fact in some cases I can offer you a better price via an affiliate link. I will not recommend something that I do not use myself. These commissions help me keep being able to provide you with great content for free. Thank you in advance for your support!