Freshen up Your Stash!

Looking for some fresh spring fabrics and kits? There’s no better time than today, now that you can save up to 60% on top kits, fabric and yarn on Craftsy! Florals, pastels and on-trend spring selections are just the beginning. Go ahead, pick yourself a beautiful bouquet of new supplies while the savings last. 

I'm especially interested in the quilting kits that are going to be on sale. I'm sure I need just a few new fabrics :)

At up to 60% off, you'll want to take advantage of these savings, so don't wait: this offer ends Sunday - shop now!

 

*Please note that I am a Craftsy affiliate and will be compensated should you purchase anything through the links above. Thank you!

Technology and the Quilter

I was thinking about my interview with Brandy Maslowski on Canadian Quilt Talk. We covered a wide range of topics and I am sure I lived up to the name of my company, Chatterbox Quilts. It was fun talking about how I began quilting and how things have changed at Chatterbox Quilts over the years. We discussed how much technology has changed the way we interact with each other.

I got the idea for this mixed media collage from browsing on-line.

What keeps me busy has certainly changed a lot over the past couple of years. I have a greater focus on creating videos, both on Youtube and Curious.com. I find that it can sometimes be more effective to show someone how to do a craft in a video rather than to write about it. It's like a one-on-one conversation with my viewer. I'm still writing my blog but I use it as another way to communicate with my subscribers.

One of my more popular Youtube videos about my latest (new) machine.

I also use Facebook (where I have a fan page and a group) and Instagram (although I'm still learning this app) to communicate small snippets of information about what I'm creating or the latest idea that's caught my eye with my followers, subscribers and friends. Both of these sites allow me to keep up with fellow quilters and see what the latest trends are.

I don't know how I'd conduct my business without technology. It allows me to blog, send out newsletters (subscribe in the sidebar for Chatterbox Times), chat with creatives in other countries and post videos to help others. I wouldn't be able to sell my downloadable patterns without today's technology!

While it can sometimes be distracting, I've found that technology has allowed me to connect with quilters all over the world and make new friends with similar interests. I use it to learn new techniques and find information about vintage sewing machines. Where else would I find a manual for a vintage Singer 15-91 sewing machine or learn about upcoming quilt shows and events? While my husband might say, "You don't need to know that", I think he's in the minority.

While it can sometimes be distracting, I've found technology to be more of a help than a hindrance. While I might get other things accomplished if I didn't spend so much time on Facebook, I would miss out on all those cute cat photos and videos.

Let me know if you find technology a help or a distraction. Just leave me a comment below. And let me know your favourite cat photo LOL

Craftsy Flash Sale!

Just in time for the week-end, Craftsy is having a FLASH sale! This is a perfect opportunity to get better at what you love to do or learn a new skill. This week-end only, get up to 50% off Craftsy's best online classes. You'll enjoy hours of up-close instruction from expert instructors and you don't even have to leave your home. Who doesn't love learning in their pj's?!

Of course, I'm especially interested in the quilting and sewing classes (as if I haven't already enrolled in enough of these!). There always seems to be new classes that I'm interested in and I find that I really enjoy creating a project along with the teacher. I have also taken several of the cooking classes and learned lots that I didn't know.

You'll have to hurry to take advantage of these savings as this sale ends Sunday. Don't delay: check out the savings today - and let me know the classes in which you enrolled.

*Please note that I am a Craftsy affiliate and will be compensated if you enrol in a class. 

Giveaway Winner for Quilter's Connection Magazine issue

Quilter's Connection magazine Spring 2015

I'm thrilled to announce the winner of my recent giveaway. The lucky winner of the Spring 2015 issue of Quilter's Connection magazine is... well, actually I have two winners! Maybe it's because this is a new blog and not everyone is actually receiving it yet or perhaps it's because I held the giveaway over the Easter week-end, but there were only two comments left for the giveaway. I couldn't decide on one winner, so both Kathy H and Susan B will be receiving a FREE copy of the Spring 2015 issue of Quilter's Connection magazine. Congratulations to both winners. Ladies, I'll be mailing your copies out soon. (Susan B, could you please send me an email advising as to your name and address as your email address wasn't in the comment for me to get back to you. Thanks!)

I tried to get Charlie and Teeka to draw the giveaway winner, but they were just too tired to make that decision.

If you missed out on this giveaway, don't despair. You can always purchase a copy of the magazine from their website - as well as many of the back issues of the magazine. Digital copies are also available.

Thanks for entering, Susan and Kathy!

Catching up with Chatterbox Quilts

Happy April Fools' Day, everyone! While it is traditionally a day for pranks, I'm not going to play any on you - today.  Instead I'm catching you up on all the exciting events that have been happening over the past few very busy weeks.

Charlie almost "fooled" me into believing he is a quilter!

The first big change is our new blog and website. While the website URL hasn't changed, the blog is now on the same site as is our store. We're very excited about these changes and would love to hear your comments on our new look - and any problems you may encounter that we aren't (yet) aware of.

Next, my course, Essential Guide to Fusible Web Appliqué, was released on Curious.com. It was so gratifying to see all our hard work come to fruition and have the course "live" on their website. I have to say a huge thanks to my hubby for filming and editing this course. You did great, honey!

Next, I had the opportunity to talk to Brandy Maslowski of Canadian Quilt Talk and do a podcast with her. It was so fun to connect with a fellow quilter and we could've chatted for hours - if we both didn't have quilting to get back to! If you haven't yet had a chance to listen to her podcasts, please do so and consider registering for her upcoming Aloha Quilt Cruise. It sounds like it's going to be lots of fun!

Then, just a few days ago, the Spring issue of Quilter's Connection magazine appeared in my mailbox, with my Floral Oval embroidery design in it. I loved how they photographed this design and the colours they used on the pattern pages. I was especially pleased to see the cover quilt by Kim Hanson. It was great to see the two Kims from Calgary in this issue!

Cover quilt, Hadlie's Quilt by Kim Hanson

hoto courtesy of quiltersconnection.ca

I've had such a good month, that I wanted to share some of this quilty goodness with you, my blog readers and subscribers, so I decided that a giveaway was in order. I'm giving away a copy of the Spring issue of Quilter's Connection magazine.

Floral Oval by Chatterbox Quilts in the Spring 2015 issue of Quilter's Connection Magazine

There are lots of fun designs and information in this issue and if you'd like to win a copy of the magazine, here's what you need to do: become a blog subscriber (you're one already, aren't you?) and then leave me a comment letting me know the best April Fool's joke that you've played on someone - or was played on you. Leave your comment in the area below this blogpost to be eligible for the giveaway.

Quilter's Connection Magazine Spring 2015 table of contents

Photo courtesy of quiltersconnection.ca

I'll randomly draw the winner on April 7 at 7:00 p.m MST and I will be announcing the winner's name in a future blog post. This giveaway is open to Canadian and U.S. addresses only. 

Enter today and good luck!

Creatively,

Kim