Tara Reed Designs Blog » quilting http://tarareeddesignsblog.com Fun and Sassy Art! Mon, 06 Sep 2010 13:00:31 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Thank you to all the wonderful Quilters at Craft Warehouse in Gresham! http://tarareeddesignsblog.com/2009/07/17/thank-you-to-all-the-wonderful-quilters-at-craft-warehouse-in-gresham/ http://tarareeddesignsblog.com/2009/07/17/thank-you-to-all-the-wonderful-quilters-at-craft-warehouse-in-gresham/#comments Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:30:57 +0000 Tara Reed http://tarareed.wordpress.com/?p=294 Yesterday I had the pleasure of speaking to two groups of quilters at the Craft Warehouse in Gresham, Oregon.  What a fun and talented bunch!  If anyone thinks sewing is easy, you head over there and look at some of their work – wowza!  I was invited to the two “Quilt Parties” to talk about [...]]]> Yesterday I had the pleasure of speaking to two groups of quilters at the Craft Warehouse in Gresham, Oregon.  What a fun and talented bunch!  If anyone thinks sewing is easy, you head over there and look at some of their work – wowza!  I was invited to the two “Quilt Parties” to talk about the design process.  If you were one of those women, thank you for letting me join you for the day!Picture 21

I design fabric for South Sea Imports and I’m told my fabric can be found all over the US as well as Australia, New Zealand and I believe parts of Europe.  Usually I’m coming up with ideas from my studio and brainstorming with the office in California.  I do sneak out and look through different stores that sell fabric from time to time.

But having the chance to interact with the people who are really using the product, asking what they like, what colors they want, what themes they wish they could find… that is some valuable information! I had a long discussion about what makes or breaks different “basics” groups (those textured fabrics that come in a rainbow of colors and can be used as background or fillers with all sorts of things).  I took a poll about some ideas I have been tossing around for a new collection and got feedback… and I had a great time!

Today I am back in my studio with new ideas swimming around in my head.  I asked the women who won or bought my fabric to send me a photo of something they use it on to post on my blog… hopefully they will!

If you live in Oregon, Washington or Idaho  and haven’t discovered the joy of a Craft Warehouse store, CLICK HERE and see if there is a location near you.  This family-owned store is a mecca for the creatively inclined!  I’ve never met a Craft Warehouse I didn’t like!

Now it’s back to the studio and back to creating wonderful new fabric collections for quilters everywhere to enjoy.

– Tara

]]> http://tarareeddesignsblog.com/2009/07/17/thank-you-to-all-the-wonderful-quilters-at-craft-warehouse-in-gresham/feed/ 0 It All Began When I Was Jumping Up & Down in the Fabric Department… http://tarareeddesignsblog.com/2009/04/08/it-all-began-when-i-was-jumping-up-down-in-the-fabric-department/ http://tarareeddesignsblog.com/2009/04/08/it-all-began-when-i-was-jumping-up-down-in-the-fabric-department/#comments Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:09:31 +0000 Tara Reed http://tarareed.wordpress.com/?p=235 Yesterday I had the pleasure of talking to two quilting club groups at the Craft Warehouse in Aloha, Oregon.  This store has an amazing quilting and fabric department whose size is very deceptive – they pack a great variety of fabric in a small space.

The first Tuesday of January I was wandering around the store [...]]]> Yesterday I had the pleasure of talking to two quilting club groups at the Craft Warehouse in Aloha, Oregon.  This store has an amazing quilting and fabric department whose size is very deceptive – they pack a great variety of fabric in a small space.

The first Tuesday of January I was wandering around the store and not only found some of my fabric, but the quilt panel was sewn together and hanging as a sample!  Woo-Hoo!  COOL!  Who could I tell?  This very nice lady named Phyliss came by so she was the winner.  It turns out she coordinates the monthly quilt club at the store (it meets the first Tuesday of the month at 1 pm and 6:30 pm).  When I told her I was a designer for South Sea Imports and they carried some of my designs, she asked me to come and talk to the group.

So yesterday I told two groups of women about the design process — from idea to color to creating patterns.  We had Q&A and they had some great questions.  It was so nice to get out of the studio and connect with people who use my products — and see what they are doing with fabric in general to keep my creative juices flowing.

Thank you Craft Warehouse – let me know if I can ever help again!

Tara

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]]> http://tarareeddesignsblog.com/2009/04/08/it-all-began-when-i-was-jumping-up-down-in-the-fabric-department/feed/ 0 The perfect gift for a modern baby… http://tarareeddesignsblog.com/2008/08/13/47/ http://tarareeddesignsblog.com/2008/08/13/47/#comments Wed, 13 Aug 2008 18:38:57 +0000 Tara Reed http://tarareed.wordpress.com/?p=47 I’m going to be an aunt!

Assuming all goes well, my second niece or first nephew will arrive on August 27th. I have to tell you, I think it’s pretty funny that my brother and I are 2 years apart (I’m older) and our kids will be 15 years minus 4 days apart. Go [...]]]> I’m going to be an aunt!

Assuming all goes well, my second niece or first nephew will arrive on August 27th. I have to tell you, I think it’s pretty funny that my brother and I are 2 years apart (I’m older) and our kids will be 15 years minus 4 days apart. Go figure! But you have to wait for the time to be right for you, and I believe these children came at the perfect time for the parents.

And besides, if he had a baby before 6 months ago, I wouldn’t have had my own fabric to use when making a baby quilt. So the timing is truly perfect, wouldn’t you agree?

This snuggle fleece fabric is (or was, not sure!) available at JoAnn Fabric stores. I spent last weekend cutting, organizing and sewing squares. Then I hopped online and ordered a flip Video™ camera — they are very cool and very portable.

What more could a baby want? A warm, homemade blanket featuring the art of “Aunt Tara” and easy access to record all the funny things they do!

~ Tara

P.S. If you happen to find and make something with my fabric, be sure to share!

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