#MondaysWithMarcus Returns Feb 14

It’s true!! We’re back with our third Mondays with Marcus FREE PROJECT SERIES, The Colors of Marcus!  This time, we’re launching on Valentine’s Day, so naturally, our talented designers are focusing on projects using RED fabrics.  Watch the video below for a preview of the RED launch projects, the visit our MWM page for links to their project instructions. Then, every Monday, through April 18, each of our designers will choose a color to feature in a second free project.  Collect any or all of the free instructions, and if desired, you can even order fabric kits for the projects, where available.  

We suggest you mark your calendar now with can’t-miss dates for your favorite colors and designers — we think you’re gonna love them ALL — and share the schedule with your friends.

Be sure to follow our Facebook page and Instagram feed, and those of our designers, too!

Here’s the lineup:

February 14    RED           Valentine’s Day Launch with All Participating Designers   

February 21    ORANGE    Gennifer March / G. March Design  

February 28    YELLOW     Nancy Rink / Nancy Rink Designs    

March 7          GREEN       Paula Barnes & Mary Ellen Robison / Red Crinoline Quilts      

March 14        BLUE          Lisa Norton & Lora Zmak  / Material Girlfriends 

March 14        BLUE          Tracy Souza / Plumcute Designs     

March 21        PURPLE     Sarah Maxwell / Designs by Sarah J   

March 21        PURPLE     Cindy Staub / Quilt Doodle Designs 

March 28        BLACK        Dolores Smith / Timeworn Toolbox Designs

March 28        BLACK        Pam Buda  / Heartspun Quilts 

April 4             BROWN      Rebekah L. Smith / Rebekah L. Smith Designs  

April 4             BROWN      Deirdre Bond-Abel / Hatcreek Quilts

April 11           GREY         Sheryl Johnson  /  Temecula Quilt Co.   

April 18           PINK          Laura Berringer   / Marcus Fabrics   

Welcome, 2020!

Thank you, quilting friends, for another year of support and inspiration! So, how did you do in 2019, creatively speaking? Did you learn any new techniques, complete some long-standing UFOs, take on a favorite BOM quilt, attend any cool retreats or expos? If so, Bravo! and if not, we’ve got a fresh new year to indulge ourselves (not to mention a fresh new decade) so there’s still hope ; )

We wish you a Joyous, Healthy and Creative New Year! One filled with your favorite Marcus and Studio 37 fabrics, great patterns, handy notions and fun gadgets — and of course, some time to enjoy it all… Happy 2020!!

Quilt Market Happens Just DAYS From Now!

…and if you’re attending, we look forward to seeing you in the Marcus Brothers/Studio 37 Fabrics Booth #1801! These are just a few of the featured collections you can see up close and personal:

And there’s more…

SCHOOLHOUSE “CREATIVE BLOCK EXCHANGE with Pam Buda’s Circa 1880 Club”  Friday, Nov. 2,  Room 362F, 3:45-4:15pm

NEW BOM and CLUB PROGRAMS from your favorite designers, including Pam Buda, Sheryl Johnson, Krisann Watkins, Nancy Rink and Sarah Maxwell.

BOOK SIGNINGS with Sheryl Johnson (Sat, Nov 3 at 2pm) and Pam Buda (Sun, Nov 4 at 11am)

CREATIVE DEMOS by Sarah Maxwell, PLUS… Sarah and Nancy Rink will discuss and SNEAK-PEEK their upcoming Quilt-along, “Mix It Up”!

Safe travels, everyone — We’ll see you soon!

(Boards by Miriam Rawson)

It’s Time for an Okan Arts WOOL Giveaway!

Photo: okanarts.com

We love to see people enjoying our wools, and it looks like the excitement has already begun for Patricia Belyea at Okan Arts!  Just check out her fun photos pairing our Wool Collection brights with Lana Wool threads from Aurifil.  And at this point, she hasn’t even made anything yet  ; )  But we know you’ll be inspired to enter her August giveaway for the chance to win one of FOUR gift packs!  Check out the blog post now for details and even a few of Patricia’s wool tips, and comment there for the chance to win.

And whether you’re one of the Chosen Four or not, you’ll find lots more inspiration, tips, and the complete wool collection on our We’ve Got the WOOL page.

Enjoy, and Good Luck to everyone…

Thanks to Okan Arts and Aurifil for partnering with us once again!

REMINDER:  We LOVE and invite your comments here, but remember that only those comments on the Okan Arts blog will be entered into the giveaway!

January Buzz: The Rainbow Fish

rainbowfishscalesIf these first days of 2017 are any indication, January is all about THE RAINBOW FISH hitting the quilt shops!  And we’re not surprised by all of the excitement caused by Marcus Pfister’s friendly, lovable character.  In fact, just as I began to write this post, Pati shared this note from one of our sales reps discussing her customer’s experience with the “Scales” (Style 9752-0750)

“Janet made up a pillowcase of The Rainbow Fish, washed it, dried it, ironed it, and brought it in to the store.  She said there wasn’t a single piece of glitter that came off, and the fabric has a lovely hand.  She was really impressed with the quality of the metallic and printing overall, and ordered more of the line today.  I had some customers who thought the glitter wouldn’t make a nice pillow surface, but it was a beautiful, soft pillowcase.”

And the rest of the prints are equally beautiful, some with touches of metallic shimmer. We even have three quilt projects, available through your local quilt shops:

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Look for the collection in stores now, and ask for Rainbow Fish books in selected shops!

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“Mr Swirl E Bones” Wins Again!

Please join us in congratulating Victoria on winning the Third Place INNOVATIVE PIECED award at Quilt Festival, sponsored by IQA and Tin Lizzie!  This is the fourth award for the fabulous “Mr. Swirl E. Bones”.   You might remember that her intriguing design (which featured skulls, in formation, wearing top hats!) also grabbed Judges’ Choice and Viewers’ Choice honors at QuiltCon earlier this year, as well as First Place at MQX in April. Impressive!
Mr. Swirl E. BonesVictoria Findlay Wolfe, Quilted by Shelly Pagliai, 2015
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#MarcusMakers2016

Two Great Schoolhouse Inspirations!

And so another Fall Quilt Market begins, with two outstanding Schoolhouse sessions!  Victoria Findlay Wolfe opened the Marcus-sponsored sessions with a review of her unique quilts, including a sneak peek at the upcoming LIGHT WORK line:

victschoolhouse

Next, Nancy Rink shared tips and techniques tips to make the most of her multi-option BOM program, GTKH: Getting to Know HUE.

nancyschoolhouse

Did You See Victoria in Warwick, NY?

If you attended the Warwick Valley Quilt Guild’s show this past weekend, hopefully, you caught Victoria’s presentation, along with some Retail Therapy from Victoria (and lots of other great vendors!)  The bi-annual guild show takes place in Warwick, NY.  Pati (shown in the right side photo with Victoria’s assistants, Laurie and Kim) was also in attendance, and she sent along a few pix of the exciting event.  Goodies at Victoria’s booth included MEADOW STORM and MOSTLY MANOR bundles and of course, inspiring quilts…

vfw-warwickqshow

On Trend: PLUM Perfection

Colornistas are surely enjoying the influx of PLUM in the market, and like you, we couldn’t be happier about it! Check out today’s featured email from Joss & Main:

plumsjossmain

Photos: JossAndMain.com

Plum can be cool, tinged with blue, or lean toward magenta with a slightly red tone.  It’s the color of fantasy, royalty, relaxation and more.  Our own Plum Story for 2016/17 begins with ANTIQUE COTTON CALICOS: Old Plum Calicos by Pam Buda of Heartspun Quilts.  Pam covers a perfect assortment of values from deep to pale.  Her inspiration comes from the prairie life of the past, and the colors remain just as relevant today.

plumflannelsPlum also lends itself to a more casual mood, with new PRIMO PLAID FLANNELS: Plum, perfect for loungewear, shirts, fashion accessories, plush toys, sofa throws and more, for guys and girls alike…

Try blending Pam’s gorgeous prints with the Primo flannels for a unique take on the trend. Or create a contemporary look with the subtle tones of Nancy Rink’s ON PLUMBERRY LANE, mixing plums with neutrals.  View the Lookbook.

plumb-lane-rinkFinally, if you like your Plum uninterrupted, remember the various solids available all year ’round in our WOOL COLLECTION and CENTENNIAL SOLIDS!

What’s your favorite Plum?  What colors do you mix it with, and in what types of projects?  Subscribe to our blog (at right) and share your thoughts below — comment by Tuesday, October 4, 2016 for a chance to win our Plum Surprise Pack!!

The VFW Quilts Store Opens This Friday!

VFW-BlueHeadshotFans of Victoria Findlay Wolfe won’t want to miss the grand opening of her new shop this Friday!!  And in honor of the Quilters Take Manhattan mega-event this weekend, she’s planned special grand opening hours of 11am to 7pm this Friday, September 23, and 4pm to 7pm this Saturday, September 24.

vfwshopboltsIf you’re in NYC, stop by to say hello, and to pick up her latest collections for Studio 37 Fabrics, plus her threads, templates and more. Learn more at VFWQuilts!

Congratulations, Victoria – we all wish you a fun and successful launch!  Or, in your own words, “YAY!!”    ; )