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Giving Thanks Blog Hop Give-a-way – Gutermann Thread

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The busy holiday season is approaching with all the holiday festivites, get-togethers with family and friends, good food, shopping, and a rush to finish gifts that you are making. This is a good time to pause and take a hop through blogs to enter for  give-aways for nifty items to add to your quilt or sewing stash of supplies.

Gutermann thread pack Phyllis Dobbs

I’m giving away a colorful packet of Gutermann thread. The wonderful folks at Gutermann of America created this pack of 5 spools of 100% cotton thread based on the colors of my new “Wild Flower” fabric collection with Quilting Treasures. You can see that they are the gorgeous bold colors of yellow, orange, green, fuchsia pink and black. You can see my “Wild Flower” collection to see the great fabric colors that I love to work with.

In addition, the prize will include a fat quarter bundle of one of my fabric collections, all in bright colors too!

To enter, leave a comment on whether or not you do any sewing or quilting for holidays or gifts – and what you make if you do. The prize will be selected by a random drawing of those leaving a comment (and those who sign up for my newsletter) through November 26. I will announce the winner on November 27.

In addition, I invite you to sign up for my newsletter, if you haven’t signed up already (this is not mandatory to enter the contest). Signing up for my newsletter will give you an additional chance to win.  You can sign up in the first column to the right. I don’t send them out often but send them to announce new fabrics, patterns and more.

Click on the Blog Hop image below to find other blogs to hop to – all with great give-aways. You may get lucky and win some prizes to fill your own Christmas stocking!

Blog Hop Party with Give-Aways
I was at both the International Quilt Market and Quilt Festival held in Houston, TX  a little over two weeks ago. I’m still going through the large amount of pictures I took and will be posting soon with some of the fabulous quilts on display.

Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to reading all your comments!

Phyllis

The winner was drawn on November 27 – see who won the Give Thanks Blog Hop!

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Dashing for Quilt Patterns!

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Love quilt magazines? Get a free 4 month subscription to The Quilt Pattern Magazine when you join the Quilt Dash and dash through some online shops. You can see more about the patterns and information in the magazine at the Quilt Pattern Magzine blog. Its free to dash and you will also get a free quilt pattern designed by Tammy Harrison – a classic Flying Geese Quilt pattern. This pattern is easy and is a great pattern for beginner quilters.

Flying Geese Quilt

You will be entered into a drawing for a free prize from each of the shops that you dash through in addition to finding some great deals for fabrics and notions. The November Quilt Dash starts on November 15 and continues for 2 weeks through November 29, giving  you two weeks to participate.

The weather has turned colder to let us know that winter is on the way. Fall and winter are perfect times to quilt while we are stuck inside a little more to escape colder weather. Our cold weather quilting gives us new quilts to snuggle in or to give to others for snuggling!

Stay warm and enjoy a quilt!

Phyllis

 

 

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Quilt Pattern made with “Wild Flower” for Dashing!

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For autumn splendor I naturally think of the rich colors of yellow and orange. To design a quilt on this theme, I used my new fabric collection “Wild Flower” from Quilting Treasures to create the quilt “Autumn Splendor” for the Quilt Dash October 2013.  This colorful pattern is now available through the WhimsyColor Shop.

Wild Flower quilt pattern autumn splendor

Each person joining the dash will also receive a free 4 month quilt magazine subscription and you will also be entered to win a prize from each quilt shop participating. You will find a lot of great fabric and notions as you dash that  you will love as an addition to your quilting supplies.

The Quilt Dash is going on now through the end of October and is free to enter.

So fall is finally here and cooler weather is approaching with, I hope, low humidity. To all of you, I wish you a “happy fall, y’all” from my southern studio!

Phyllis

 

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Add a Little “Wild Flower” to your Day with Fabrics!

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I want to introduce you to my newest fabric collection “Wild Flower” from Quilting Treasures! I love the bold bright colors of this colection and hope that you will too.

Wild Flower Zebra Skin Fabrics by Phyllis Dobbs

The main print features a black and white zebra animal skin print with yellow, fuchsia pink and orange flowers scattered randomally on top of the black and white print. Coordinating fabrics include a black and white as well as an orange and fuchsia pink zebra stripe fabrics. Other fabrics include a smaller flower design on each black and white backgrounds and tonal fabrics in several colors to round out the collection.

The “Wild Flower” collection will be in independent shops sometime during this month of October and can be ordered by shops now from Quilting Treasures.

I am getting ready to attend the fall Houston International Quilt Market and will also be at the International Quilt Festival that follows market. I will be in and out of Quilting Treasure’s booth as well as the Gutermann thread booth during Market and in the Gutermann booth during Quilt Festival.  I would love to meet all of you who may be attending either show, so please stop by!

Also, please check back for some free patterns with the “Wild Flower” fabrics. I have designed several quilt and sewing patterns to go with this collection and will post as soon as they are completed.

Well, back to prep for Quilt Market. I hope that you are having a colorful week!

Phyllis

 

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Dash for a Free Quilt Pattern – a Splash of Color

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I love color and this quilt pattern gives lots of it, which is why I named it “Splash of Color”. This pattern was designed the Quilt Dash and is now available from the WhimsyColor Shop.

Splash of Color quilt pattern

 

This pattern is easier than it looks and you can customize it with your own favorite colors. The finished quilt size is 56 1/2″ W x 80 1/2″ H. Its easy to customize for a smaller or larger quilt by doing it in 4 block increments so that you can have a small wall hanging quilt or a full bed sized quilt. The quilt is made with 24 identical blocks. You can also use your scraps to make this a scrappy quilt. Oh, the possibilities! And I know that each quilt made with this pattern will be uniquely your own, with each quilt having a different look and emphasis from this pattern.

The Quilt Dash starts on August 15 and goes on for 2 weeks, during which time you can receive this pattern free.  You can enter at any time during the 2 weeks and its also free to participate in the Quilt Dash. You can find some great sales and other products in the quilt stores that you visit. In addition, you will be entered into a drawing for a prize from each shop.

Shops, you can still sign up to participate to get new quilters and fabric lovers to Dash through your online stores.

I hope you will join us in the Quilt Dash for this  “Splash of Color” quilt pattern. I would love to see the quilt that you make from it.

This pattern is now available in my Craftsy store.

Happy Dashing!

Phyllis

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Quilt Art Used for Quilt Shop Signs

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I’m always flattered when someone contacts me about my art or fabrics. I was especially delighted when a new quilt shop contacted me about using my Quilt Art for their store signs. Jody Winn, the owner of  “A Winn-ing Quilt Shop, LLC“, contacted me prior to the opening of her new quilt shop.

Winn-ing Quilt Shop Store Sign

 

A Winn-ing Quilt Shop, LLC, opened on July 3, is located at 1002 Diamond Ridge, Ste. 1050, Jefferson City, MO, 65109. I hope if you are in the area you will stop by and check out her great selection of fabrics and notions! Jody found my art on products in my Zazzle store and wanted to coordinate everything with my art and business products for her store. Jefferson City looks like its about half way between Kansas City and St. Louis. These cities are frequent locations for the Spring International Quilt Market so maybe I will be able to visit Jody’s shop some day.

The above sign is on the building above her store. The sign below is on the store window. And if you are driving around in Jefferson City, you may also spot a similiar sign on her car door.

Winn-ing Quilt Shop store Sign

 

My quilt art is also being made into a fabric collection, titled “Xanadu”, and is due out soon. I will post more information when it’s ready for shipping.

Meanwhile, I have been adding more products made with my Quilt Art to my online Zazzle stores. My main store, PhyllisDobbs, has lots of products with colorful quilt designs in assorted color combinations, including business cards, smart phone and tablet cases, return address labels, mugs and much, much more for the quilt lover. I also have a business store, BusinessWithFlair, that concentrates on business related products designed for any quilt business. I hope you will check them out.

 

I wish Jody a big, huge success with “A Winn-ing Quilt Shop, LLC”.

Phyllis

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ArtBizJam – Interview with artist Lori Siebert

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Lori Siebert, a very successful licensing artist, tells why she is excited about being a part of the artist retreat ArtBizJam next month. Lori, licensing artist Paula Joerling, and product developer Anne Brown and I will be hosting a fun packed and educational artist’s retreat at the beach in Destin, Fl.  It promises to be an unforgettable weekend.

You can find out more at www.Artbizjam.com

Lori Siebert ArtBizJam
In addition to happy hours, a shrimp boil and lots of freebies and surprises we will also be sharing valuable information on running an art-driven business.

We are keeping this gathering small and we are almost at full capacity. Also registration closes on August 10th (Saturday).

For the past month I have been sharing interviews with the “instructors” that will be participating. This weeks interview is with Lori Siebert but be sure to check out interviews with  and Anne and myself.

Why did you want to be involved with ArtBizJam?

One of the wonderful things about creative people is how they love to be together and share ideas and support one another. I truly value my creative friends. This is an opportunity to do just what I love…spend time with fun, interesting people and share what I have learned along the way… while having an incredibly fun time.

What will people get out of attending this particular workshop? 

A lot of camaraderie, fun, bonding and support from other creative people…thought provoking conversation about your dreams and goals, practical classes about the business side of things, good fun, wine, the beach.

What will people get out of attending this particular workshop?

A lot of camaraderie, fun, bonding and support from other creative people…thought provoking conversation about your dreams and goals, practical classes about the business side of things, good fun, wine, the beach.

What makes this workshop/retreat special and different from other workshops?

When we talked about how to make this different,we decided on two things…make it small and intimate so we can really cater to the people who attend…and make it about BOTH side of the brain. We all love to create…that is a given…but,we also have to find ways to be efficient and make money…so we can continue to make a living creatively. This is what we want to share.

How do you reconcile your passion of creating art with the business side of art?

I am really lucky in that my husband is my business partner and we have an agent,CourtneyDavis. I really do get to focus on the creative. But,it is important to have an understanding of our business as a whole and where it is going.

What are you looking forward to fun-wise with ArtBizJam?

Time with really great, creative folks…great food,sharing,learning from one another…an overall re-charge!

You can read more about the classes, schedule, instructors at ArtBizJam.  If you have any questions, please contact me or one of the other instructors.

We hope to see you at ArtBizJam!

Phyllis

 

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ArtBizJam Interview with Guest Instructor Anne Brown

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This week’s interview is with Anne Brown, Director of Product Development for Magnet Works and Studio M. As an artist, I find it completely spellbinding listening to Anne talk about the development side of creating product lines. You can have the opportunity to learn from Anne as one of the instructors at ArtBizJam, an artist retreat/workshop taking place in Destin, FL September 18-22, 2013.

Anne Brown ArtbizJam

You can join Anne, licensing artists Lori Siebert, Paula Joerling and myself for fun on the beach, a little wine and lots of information about the business side of art licensing as well as creative play time with new techniques!

We want to keep it small so that some of the discussions can be tailored to your specific needs. We are almost full and registration closes August 10.

You can find all the details at  ArtBizJam.com

Among other things, Anne will be discussing the following topics at ABJ.

1. Finding Your Creative Spark. Everyone has one but some have yet to define and commit to it. Anne will discuss the importance of identifying your Spark, what ignites it and how to stay true to it.

2. Share Your Spark. Learn from a Product Developer ! Anne will discuss her perspective of what a product developer wants to see in portfolio presentations and their expectations during development. You will learn how to determine which products best work for your artwork.

3.  Ignite Your Spark. A trending field trip to learn the in’s and out’s of determining trends, plus much more information on correctly predicting trends.

You can see the full class schedule for ArtBizJam.

Artbizjam date

Anne’s Interview:

Why did you want to be involved with ArtBizJam?

When Lori, Paula and Phyllis called me to share their vision for the retreat, I was inspired by their passion and purpose. I was thrilled to be included as a guest teacher.

What will people get out of attending this particular workshop?

I hope the participants walk away with a better sense of their creative purpose and tools to enrich their business and art.

What makes this workshop/retreat special and different from other workshops?

ArtBizJam is a creative renewal that encourages realness, vision and kinship. I love that it was tailor-made for an intimate group of artists who are interested in growing personally and professionally while having a blast doing it!

How do you reconcile your passion of developing product with the business side of art?

My passion and job is developing products with licensed artists and designers. As a Product Developer, it is crucial I am always looking through the lens of my retail customer and end consumer. This means there are times I have to pass on an artist I admire personally because it is not the right fit for my product.

What are you looking forward to fun-wise with ArtBizJam?

I am looking forward to a long weekend of learning, sharing and creativity…on the beach. Our hostesses have taken great care in planning every detail and know this will be a memorable weekend!

We look forward to seeing you at ArtBiz Jam!

Phyllis

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Interview (with myself Phyllis Dobbs) for ArtBizJam!

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This week we are starting a series of interviews with the instructors at ArtBizJam, which is a creative/art business retreat being held in Destin, FL September 18-22, 2013.  The instructors along with myself are Anne Brown, Director of Product Development at Magnet Works and Studio M and artists Lori Siebert and Paula Joerling. My name was drawn out of the proverbial “hat” to be the first interviewee!

ArtBizJam artist retreat

Why did you want to be involved with ArtBizJam?

Conducting a retreat has been in my mind for quite a while. I love attending retreats and enjoy teaching so it was natural to want to host one. This one came together almost as a product of a magic wand being waved with some fairy dust – the four of just all wanted the same thing and were so excited about it. As a teacher at ArtBizJam, I feel that I will get as much out of it as will the students. Any time you meet someone and network, you automatically gain from it, whether you are the teacher or the student.

What will people get out of attending this particular workshop?

The attendees will benefit on several levels. They will have fun and create cherished new friendships and an experience that they will treasure. They will learn how to improve their business to get it to the level that they want as well as work smarter with their business side. Working smarter makes us more productive while giving us more time to enjoy the benefits of being creative. And the attendees will also relax and rejuvenate by being being creative in new areas, taking these techniques and incorporating them into their creations. Taking time to creatively play will give you the energy and spark to create new ideas. We have some fun surprises that will delight everyone there – you will love every minute in this beautiful gulf coast area.

What makes this workshop/retreat special and different from other workshops?

Most workshops focus on only one area of your business, mostly taking creative classes.  This one also focuses on the business side as well as the creative. You can have a creative business but if you don’t know how to promote and grow it, you will not get as much as you can from it.
We are also keeping ArtBizJam small so that its a more intimate retreat where individual  business or creative needs can be addressed.

How do you reconcile your passion of creating art with the business side of art?

All our art and creativeness comes from the right side of our brain. We tend to really love that area and want to stay there. But when our art is our business, we need to venture into the left side of brains. I know its not as much fun, that left side, but there are ways to make it that way.  We can be just as creative with the business side and that’s what I strive to do to make my business side as interesting as the creative part. Its all the same coin, just different sides, and I find it fun to flip it back and forth, well at least some of the time!

What are you looking forward to fun-wise with ArtBizJam?

Laughter and camaraderie! When ever a group of women get together, no matter what the reason from serious business to just relaxing, it always turns into laughter at some point.  And that’s especially true with artists. We become close knit as we get to know each other and that forms into friendships. We always enjoy getting together any time that we can. The laughter is the perk that always happens!

Phyllis

 

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Atlanta Gift Market – Trends and Friends!

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I just returned from the the Atlanta Gift Market, which is always a favorite trip of mine! There is always so much visually stimulating eye candy, swirls of color, and great times meeting up with friends.

The trends I saw this time in still bold colors, were bags. Bags, bags, bags, everywhere – tote bags and purses. The gift showrooms all had some kind of bag as well as jewelry and most likely some kind of clothing like a top or scarf. As far as motifs, the owl was still who-who-ing away.

ArtBizJam teachers

As artists, we have so much fun getting together and networking, and it’s vital to our business. (Who says you can’t have fun while working!) Since all of us teachers at ArtBizJam were at Market, Paula Joerling, who lives a couple of blocks from Market, had us all over (picture above – Anne Brown (Anne is the Director of Product Development of Studio M at Magnet Works), Lori Siebert, Paula and myself). We had a blast planning and talking about the ArtBizJam retreat that we are hosting in September. We also came up with lots of surprises for the retreat to make it even more fun and memorable.

ArtBizJam is an artist retreat being held in the coastal town of Destin, Florida, September 18-22, 2013. The focus will be on maximazing your business growth, creative time, as well as lots of fun, networking and great food. Please check out the ArtBizJam website to read all the details. Spaces are limited so please sign up soon if you plan to be a part of this “happening” so that you don’t miss out!

ArtBizJam Experience

 

The above image was created for us as a surprise by artist Robin Davis who is just as excited about ArtBizJam as we are and wanted to show all that you will experience at ArtBizJam! She captured it perfectly!

Have a color filled day!

Phyllis