Welcome to Deb Strain's studio...

Welcome to Deb Strain's studio...

Friday, April 29, 2011

A Visit To Moda

Hello Dear Friends,

Hope that you have all been well and are survivng this challenging spring weather!

Since I won't be attending The International Quilt Market this spring in Salt Lake City, my younger daughter,  Katie and I visited Moda in Dallas, Texas.  What a wonderful trip we had!  I thought you might enjoy seeing some of the Moda facilities and where all of the "Magic" happens.  It really is impressive! It was a very quick trip but we really enjoyed it.

Katie is a textile major in college and everyone at Moda was so generous in showing her around and answering any questions that she might have about the industry.


In one of the warehouses, Moda employees measure out the bolts of fabric that you see in your favorite Quilt store from larger rolls of fabric.


Fabric orders are shipped from here in one of the warehouses.


The warehouses are so big, employees get around on bicycles!


Searching for my fabric lines in the Moda archives.....


Found them!


Thanks for all of your kindness on our visit Moda!

Have a great weekend, dear friends,
Always,
Deb

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Sharing Your Wonderful Creations!

Hello Dear Friends,

Don't you love looking outside and seeing spring bloom a little more each day?
   Our woods are filled with the delicate green lace of new leaves in the trees.  In just a few days, little white flowers will cover the creek bank with patches of purple wildflowers woven in.  What a sweet time of year!

A few of my new blog friends have sent me photos of their beautiful creations made with my fabric and I wanted to share them.  Thank you again ladies for allowing me to showcase your talent!


This lovely quilt was created by Melinda, a busy mom from Michigan.  I love the way she has recreated the flowers of the "Fresh Flowers" fabric collection within the quilt blocks!  Melinda has a wonderful blog 28 Peppermint Grove
where she shares her talent and creativity.  It is certainly one
you will want to visit!


Sarah sent this sweet quilt made for her son, using my Love U group.  It is just what I envisioned when creating the line!  Sarah's mom ( a wonderful grandmother, Sarah shares) made this and did  an exceptional job.  
Sarah even sent a picture of the quilt with her cute little son.  I'm not sure which is cuter...the little boy or the quilt! What a terrific smile!


It is certainly rewarding for me to see these beautiful creations, made with love and the fabric that I have designed.  Hope that you have enjoyed them too!
Always,
Deb

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Quilt Festival Visit

Hello Dear Friends!

Spring has come to Ohio and we are all so glad!  The daffodils are blooming and a beautiful green is starting to replace the brown that was everywhere.

I decided that to celebrate this wonderful time of year, I would take a day to become inspired! Lucky for me, the International Quilt Festival was held in Cincinnati this past weekend!



 If you ever have the chance to attend, you really should try to....it was wonderful!  There were 375 booths filled with great projects, ideas and fabric, fabric, fabric!  18 Special Quilt Exhibits displayed amazing quilts and fabric art from Baltimore Quilts to Quilts with Words As Design.
   My favorite part of the show, however, was one of the special exhibits, entitled "Celebrate Spring!" It was  a collection of the most beautiful quilts that did just that...celebrate spring.




Aren't they beautiful? 

My daughter saw the pictures on my camera and asked where I had seen the incredible flower paintings. What talented people created these works of art in fabric!  I apologize that I didn't get the names of the artists, but did want to share them with you.

Hope that they inspire you as much as they did me.  I can't wait to get out in my flower garden!

Have a good week!
Always,
Deb  






Saturday, April 2, 2011

Cookie Drawing Winner(s)!

Hello Dear Friends!

I have to apologize for not posting the winner for my cookie drawing on April 1st.  I just put the finishing touches on my new fabric line today and shipped it out!  Hurray!! Can't wait for you all to see it.  I will post hints about its content in the future. ( It is a nature group...filled with  birds, dragonflies and butterflies...just a little hint to get started!)

Because of my lateness, I had RANDOM. ORG choose two winners, instead of one!  The first place winner is Dorian who posted her comment on March 12 at 4:50 am.  She has won this garden mug, recipe box and  coaster.  Congratulations Dorian!


Because I was late to post the winner, I had RANDOM.ORG choose a second place winner too.  The second place winner is Amy, who posted her comment on March 11, 2011 at 6:53 PM.  Congratulations Amy!  Your prize is a coffee mug with one of my coffee fabric designs on it and a Coffee Panel and matching back fabric.  I would post a picture of the prize, but my camera is out of commission right now.
My apologies!

I have e-mailed Dorian and Amy.  Please make sure you send me addresses.

Thanks to everyone who participated!  For those of you who baked the cookies, hope you and your families enjoyed them.

Happy Spring!
Always,
Deb