International Quilt Market Update

I returned recently from my very first International Spsring Quilt market, held this year in Pittsburgh. What an incredible experience and WHAT A BLAST!! I was there at the invitation of Nancy Dill, my publisher at QuiltWoman.com to introduce my new book "Moon Dance" to the professional quilting world.

There is so much to tell about those five jam packed days that I will only mention a few of the highlights. My purpose, in addition to promoting my book, was to network, and network I did! I took a workshop with Jennifer Chiaverini, the authour of so many wonderful Elm Creek Quilt novels, met Mark Lipinski (who gave me a big hug), fabric designer Amy Butler, the president of Kona Bay fabrics Douglas Eagleson, Vicki Dar, editor of Asian Fabrics magazine (a division of Kona Bay and Seattle Bay), The editor of McCalls Quilting magazines, and dozens of designers, distributors, fabric company representatives - the list goes on. The show was so enormous it began to feel pretty overwhelming at times., but the connections I made were wonderful and I could never have made them without being invited to take part in this biannual Market.

Two fabric companies have asked me to make projects for them and have each given me very generous amounts of fabric in return (Kona Bay for Asian Fabrics Magazine and In The Beginning fabrics, using a brand new line: Folklorica); I have an "in" at McCalls and possibly Quilters' Home for submitting future articles or designs; made a number of new friends AND, best of all, my book "Moon Dance" is selling very nicely!

As you can imagine, it was a pretty intense few days but SO worth it! And it was fun to go out after Market closed in the evenings to try out different restaurants with Nancy Dill and her staff and designers. What a great group of women. In spite of being totally exhausted every night I have not giggled like I did with them in a long time. I took a lot of photos at the show and around downtown Pittsburgh and will post some of them soon.

Cary Flanagan, Designer

Something Sew Fine Quilt Design

http://www.somethingsewfine.com/

http://www.quiltwoman.com/

Goodbye 2008…Hello 2009!

This is the time of year when most people look back over the past year’s accomplishments and forward to the New Year, with new goals and new hope and, hopefully, with renewed enthusiasm.

I have to say I am pretty happy that 2008 is finally over. What a challenging year! But I am happy with what I have accomplished in the past year and I am optimistic about the future.

Looking forward to next year, I will be going to Pittsburgh in May at invitation of Nancy Dill, QuiltWoman.com, to introduce my new quilt book, "Moon Dance" at the annual International Spring Quilt Market. I am thrilled to be able to go! This will be a real first for me!

I want to go to both the International Quilt Market and Quilt Festival in Houston next October. My quilting friend Cathy (from Florida) has suggested we meet there. That is an important goal for me and I will find a way to make it happen.

I am looking forward to more teaching opportunities; I have two trunk shows scheduled and would love to do more; I am currently working on a commission to be completed in January and hope for several more; and finally – I am contemplating writing another book in the next year or two. No rush deadlines this time, especially not right before Christmas like I had this year! And, of course. I want to get some new individual quilt patterns finished and on the market.

I want to continue growing my design business while also still enjoying my life. I want to continue to expand my skills and try branching out in new directions in my designs, my writing and my quilt making.

So what are your goals and aspirations for the coming year? Are you optimistic about the future or do you have your doubts?

I am a true believer that if you really want something and focus completely on that goal, visualizing it as if it has already been achieved, you can have anything you want or reach any goal. It is called the Law of Attraction and much has been written about it in recent years. Trust me, it works!

I wish you all the very best in the coming year! Keep those creative juices flowing!

Cary Flanagan

Something Sew Fine Quilt Design

http://www.somethingsewfine.com