All sorts of sales at Old Red Barn Co!

Several things to tell you about today. First off, I've hinted over the past several months that at the end of 2015 I will be closing the Old Red Barn Co. shop.

Since I started making and selling soap under the Old Red Barn Co. name, so many things have changed. Old Red Barn Co. began in my kitchen and became a way for our family to have a little extra income. It grew steadily and helped us during some very lean years. Alone and as a family, I've traveled and participated in countless craft shows. My customers are loyal and have kept our internet business brisk. It's hard because in many ways I feel like I'm letting those amazing customers down. But over the years, Old Red Barn Co. has morphed and changed and stretched and grown. What started as me selling my handmade goat milk soap at my local farmer's market one Saturday, has changed into a quilt related business that occupies more and more of my time. Add two busy teenage daughters to the mix and something just has to give.

As a thank you to you, whether you've been a customer from the beginning or have never tried our products before, we are having a blow out sale that will last until the end of the year or when we are sold out. Soaps are normally $4 each or three bars for $10 but the sale price is now $4 each or nine bars for $25. Scrubs are normally $10 each but are now three for $20.  The website does NOT reflect these sale prices as I'm having a booger of a time getting the drop down menus to do what I want them to do and reflect the correct sale price. This means that for every order that comes through from now until closing, I will adjust and refund the overages.  Sorry for the hassle of the whole buy-at-regular-price-and-then-have-the-overages-refunded-to-you thing.  It saves me from hiring someone to fix the website and I promise you'll get the sale prices!

Also, you might have noticed a slight change to the Imagine Quilts graphic up in top of the right side bar here on the blog.

I have a final shipment of books now in stock and I have signed copies on sale for $15 + $2.50 media mail shipping. I won't be ordering any more so if you've ever considered buying one (thank you!! ::blushing::) now's the time.  Just click on that icon in the upper right hand sidebar of my blog. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

'Kay. I think that's all for now.

-dana

Imagine Quilts in Dutch Magazine!

I've gotta say it's pretty cool to see a book that I wrote being reviewed in a Dutch magazine. As Snoop Dog would say, for shizzle!

-dana

Imagine Quilts Giveaway at Fat Quarter Shop Blog

Hurry over to The Jolly Jabber to enter for your chance to win one of my books. They are picking winners tomorrow so scoot!

-dana

Sale, winner & other housekeeping

I finally got around to getting signed copies of my book, Imagine Quilts, readily available for sale. You'll notice the new button in the sidebar on the right.  Click the button and buy a book.  If you want.  I'm not a pushy sales person.  At least I hope that's not how I come across.

Second, the winner of the Jolly Bar from Fat Quarter Shop is number 171 which is Laney. Congratulations Laney! Shoot me an email and I'll get your winnings on their way to you.

Happy Monday all around!
-dana

Quilt Market - Houston 2014

International Quilt Market was in Houston, Texas this past weekend and I thought I'd take a moment to talk about it.  Quilt Market is an industry trade show that happens twice a year and is not open to the public.  It is where fabric, thread, notions, machine, batting and publishing companies come to exhibit their new products and sell to shop owners and other buyers. It's all business and very big business indeed.

Of course, everything that I'm about to tell you is from my perspective but what I hope to do is give you a feel of what it's like.  For years and years I have sat at home during Quilt Market and trolled Flickr (oh man! remember the good ole days of Flickr?) and Instagram scouring the photos for details of new fabric lines, new notions and books and wishing that I could be there in person to meet the industry people.  I met up with these girls (L-R @csduhon -- Carlie(top) @pukanunu -- Melissa(bottom) and @instaamy --Amy.  Find them on Instagram as they have some things brewing behind the scenes and you'll want to know all about it.) and it was the first time at Quilt Market for all of us so we got to experience it for the first time together.

I was there as a guest of my publisher Martingale to give a presentation (called a Schoolhouse) about my book Imagine Quilts.  Schoolhouses occur all day Friday and generally are in 30 minute increments.  I brought eight quilts from my book with me and Martingale brought the additional three from the book with them to my schoolhouse.  After a brief introduction by Jennifer Keltner, I got to talk about my book and show the quilts from it.

And apparently sing opera.  To a room of smiling, friendly faces which made the 30 minutes pass in a flash.

Schoolhouses go on all day Friday and I was lucky to attend many of them.  It was a great opportunity to hear about products, see them first hand and form a bit of a relationship with those behind the products. Walking from schoolhouse to schoolhouse also allows for conversation, introductions and networking.  Lots of business cards, buttons and promotional materials are swapped on Friday for sure.

Saturday is the beginning of the "market" portion wherein all the booths are open for attendees to look at, touch and feel and meet with sales representatives for buying.  The enormity of the trade floor cannot be understated.  It's actually hard to describe just how big it is.  If you've been on Instagram and searched the hashtag #quiltmarket then you've seen bird's eye views of the trade floor. None of those pictures captures the whole view because it's just too big to be seen through a camera lens.  I spent several hours wandering the floor on Saturday and in no way shape or form saw everything there was to see.

I didn't get to see it all because I spent my time connecting IN PERSON with people I've been working with or come to know online for years.  Like Chen (@mushyhed) and Jacey (@jaceynotjc) who were totally on board with silly faces instead of smiles.

Or Caroline Hulse (@sewcaroline) , Pat Bravo (@patbravo), Maureen Cracknell (@maureencracknell) and Carlie.  Here we are pictured at Sample Spree which takes place Friday night from 8-10pm.  Sample Spree is where vendors sell to the public fabric and notions that either have been recently released or soon to be released.  This allows shop owners to get their hands on fabric, patterns and notions in order to make shop samples to be ready for display by the time the fabric is shipped and available in their shops.  The line to get into Sample Spree starts forming several hours in advance and the energy of those waiting is electric.  When the doors open at 8pm, the crowd lets out a celebratory hoot and the people flood into the ballroom.  It was crazy up in there!

I arrived in Houston on Thursday and flew home late Saturday night.  It was jam packed and has left me with a feeling of inspiration and renewed excitement to do this thing that I so very much love to do.  I want to quilt all the things.  And I want to teach everyone how to quilt all the things.  And I want to use an endless supply of beautiful fabrics in beautiful colors, designs and substrates.

But, before I do all that, I've got to go grocery shopping, clean the house and do the laundry.  My glamours everyday life awaits.

-dana

Fitting into these days

It looks like this right now. My girls busy with things. And friends. And stuff. Razor busy with things and stuff. Me too. I'm busy with things and stuff. And still we sit down at the kitchen table every night for dinner together.  Every night. Because it's what we do and what, I think, keeps us centered.  It's where I hear about what happened at soccer practice and Razor hears about what happened at school.  It's where we remind each other of tomorrow's dentist appointment.  Or that cat food needs to be added to the grocery list. Or that burping isn't polite at the dinner table but is still hilariously funny even to the grumpiest one there.

At ages 15 and almost 13, the girls have active social calendars.  Which is good.  And exhausting. Sometimes we say no but usually we say yes.

The busy-ness of it all has been building.  And I try to stay in the present.  Try to be right here, right now and not worry/plan/think/dwell on what comes next. I don't always succeed but I try. I look out the window and see my kids when they don't know I'm watching. When did she get so tall that she can jump and reach the limb? When did she become such an animated story teller among friends? Well, lookie there, they can discuss something and work it out by themselves.

I know a lesson is trying to reveal itself to me. I've felt it just out of reach for months. I've tried to sit down and write about it. But I don't know what it is yet. It's wrapped up in the busy-ness. It's why I'm struggling to find a regular blogging routine. It's why I'm trying to figure out what my plan is after writing a book. My kids are busy and filling there time with more of the world. It's okay for me to be filling my time with more too.

Clarity will come.

Until then, there is dinner around the kitchen table. I can always count on that.

-dana

Today I'm...

--  Loving having the windows open.

-- Sneezing a bit more because the windows are open.  But I'm good with that.

--  Planning to make stuffed green peppers for dinner.  

--  And maybe apple pie.

--  Making a list of the things I need to bring with me Sunday to the Asheville Quilt Show.  I'll be signing books from 1:00-3:00 pm.  I hope to meet some of you there!  

--  Debating between power washing the patio or sewing today.  The weather makes me think I should choose power washing.

--  Obsessed with Friday Night Lights.  We've been re watching it on Netflix.  Almost done with season one.  So good.

--  Ready for the weekend.

-dana

My heart skips of beat when I see Imagine Quilts projects pop up on the inter webs

Patchwork whale from my book Imagine Quilts by Shannon

A glimpse at Three Wheeling from my book Imagine Quilts by Deb Robertson

Posy Patrol quilt from my book Imagine Quilts by Melissa Bonier.

Posy Patrol quilt from my book Imagine Quilts by Diane Stanley.

Dance Floor quilt from my book Imagine Quilts by Dolores Goodson.

Amperand quilt from my book Imagine Quilts by Dolores Goodson.

Mini Dance Floor by Dolores Goodson.

My heart nearly bursts when I see that people are making things from the patterns in my book Imagine Quilts.

Bursts I tell you.

-dana

ETA:  I've gotten some emails asking where to purchase a signed copy.  More bursting.  Scroll to the bottom of this link and you can purchase one there.  :)

Imagine Quilts Blog Tour With LOTS of Giveaways

Over the next two weeks several quilting bloggers will be reviewing my book and offering lots of giveaways.  Hope you'll check them all out.

Pat Sloan

Amy Gibson

Lindsey Rhodes

Katie Blakesley

Trudi Wood

Dolores Goodson

Lee Monroe

Jennifer Mathis
Deb Robertson

Amy Smart

-dana

Quilt Giveaway -- Enter Here!

Contest is now closed.  Winner announced in post dated 8/7/14.

Want to win this quilt?  It's from my book Imagine Quilts that was released this month and is the pattern featured on the cover called Posy Patrol.

I've said numerous times here that I'm generally not a pattern based quilter.  I usually have an idea for a quilt and then sketch, compute, calculate and scratch my forehead until I figure out how to make the idea in my head translate into a quilt. Both as a quilter and as a blogger the number one question I get asked time and time again is, "Where do you come up with ideas for your quilts?"  Imagine Quilts is my answer to that question and an open invitation to grab some graph paper and discover how your design process works.

I made it with the new fabric line from Alison Glass for Andover Fabrics called Field Day.

Alison describes Field Day as a collection of prints representing the growth of plants in their wild and natural settings.  The designs represent the beautiful and often unruly nature of growth and are perfect for my Posy Patrol pattern which was inspired by the daily walks my mom and I take around our yards each day to see what's blooming.  We affectionately call this walk our daily posy patrol.  The fabric and pattern seem like a match made in heaven if you ask me.

The quilt measures 50"x50" and is made with 100% cotton fabrics and batting.  It is machine washable and dryable and a perfect size to have on your lap.

And the quilting.  Can we just stop and pause and admire the work that Russ Adams of The Back Porch Quilters does for a moment?  Breathtaking.  I never tell him what design I want done on a quilt because in my opinion he is an artist and whatever decision he makes will only enhance, compliment and make my quilt sing in ways I didn't know possible.

So you wanna chance to win this quilt?  It's a two step process to enter.  First, send me an email at dana at oldredbarnco dot com with the name, address and contact info of a local quilt shop that you think should carry my book Imagine Quilts.  Do that in an email to me directly so that that info isn't broadcast here on my blog for the world to see.  Second, once you've done that, leave a comment here telling me where you get inspiration for your quilts.

International entries welcome.  The contest entry time will close on Wednesday, August 6, 2014 at midnight US EDST.  A winner will be chosen randomly and announced Thursday, August 7th.

And you should follow both Alison Glass (@alisonglass)  and I (@oldredbarnco) on Instagram because Alison will be giving away a bundle of Field Day fabric and I am giving away signed copies of Imagine Quilts.

Finally, I'd be tickled pink if you'd like to purchase a signed copy of my book.  In all honesty, it'll feel weird and make me all wide-eyed and blubbery.  You can click below if you fancy. It only calculates shipping for US customers but if you're international, let me know and I'll work with you to find the cheapest shipping option possible.  Big wet sloppy kisses.  From my pups.  Not me... cause that would be awkward.

Good luck on winning the quilt!

-dana

DISCLOSURE:  The addresses and contact information that you provide of your local quilt shops will be used by me to send a personalized postcard advertising my book.  I will share those addresses only with Alison Glass and she will use them to personally advertise her products.  This information will only be used for the stated purposes and not shared with any other third party.  If you mistakenly share the contact information in the comment section of my blog instead of sending it directly to me at dana at oldredbarco dot com, I will delete your comment so as to keep the information private.

My book, Imagine Quilts, officially out in the world!

Um.  Ya.  I know this video is pretty rudimentary as far as self produced videos go.  It took me For.  Ev.  Er.  Not the videoing part, obviously, but first I did it on my phone, then couldn't get it onto my iPad, then reshot it with my iPad.  Then had to figure out iMovie.  And then how to get the whole thing to the PC.  And on and on.  I consider the fact that you can't hear my dogs barking in the background a success.

 So, as of Tuesday my book is officially out in the world.  You can find it directly from my publisher Martingale, on Amazon and at your local quilt and craft shops.  Later this month I will be giving away a remake of my cover quilt, Posy Patrol, and there will be lots of fun giveaways on social media in the weeks to follow.

Finally, I'm guest posting over on STITCHthis! today and talking about how I find inspiration for my quilts.  They are giving away an eBook copy of my book so I hope you'll check it out.

-dana

Looking for free quilt patterns?

The Internet is a mind blowing abyss of information. Understatement of the year, right?  The kind people over at Martingale have tried to tame that wily world wide web and have complied a list of over 18 free quilt patterns found across the Internet and one of mine is included.

Check it out if you are in the need for inspiration, quick project ideas, or have the zany notion to add to your "must make someday" list.

-dana

Modern Baby eBook Winner

The winner was selected by random draw and is Jennifer.  Congratulations!  Contact me and I'll get all your info and get your eBook to you.

And.

Thanks for all the kind words of support and encouragement.  From each and every one of you.  You've made this week a happy, shiny, bubbly time that I won't soon forget.  Quilting is what I do to relax.  To be creative.  To express myself.  And receiving a supportive Internet embrace from each of you is so very validating.  You are my peeps.  My people.  My tribe.

My friends.

Thank you.

-dana

Modern Baby -- Book Tour & Giveaway

Contest is now closed.  Winner to be selected by random draw and announced in next post.

 

So, back in early 2012 I sent this baby quilt off to Martingale to be included in their new book Modern Baby.  And now, finally, in April 2013 the book is published and out in the world. 

 



This book features 14 quilt patterns for fresh, fun, and modern baby quilts.  Many are quick to sew and can be completed just in time to take with you to a baby shower. 

I'm still pinching myself that one of my quilts was selected for inclusion in the book.  I mean, have you seen the names of the other contributors? 

Designers include Amy Smart, Audrie Bidwell, Carolyn Friedlander, Carrie Bloomston, Me, Jake Finch, Jen Eskridge, Lindsey Rhodes, Melissa Corry, Pippa Eccles Armbrester, Sarah Flynn, Shea Henderson, and Victoria Findlay Wolfe.

Dude. 

I'm giving away one eBook copy of Modern Baby.  Leave a comment for your chance to win. 

You'll have 13... count them, 13... additional chances to win an eBook copy of Modern Baby.  Visit all the contributors' blogs and enter for your chances to win there too.

April 18, Thursday Jenny, StitchThis! http://blog.shopmartingale.com/

April 19, Friday Shea Henderson, http://emptybobbinsewing.com

April 22, Monday Jake Finch, http://generationqmagazine.com/

April 23, Tuesday Audrie Bidwell, http://blueisbleu.blogspot.com/

April 24, Wednesday Carolyn Friedlander, http://carolynfriedlander.com/blog/

April 25, Thursday Melissa Corry, http://happyquiltingmelissa.blogspot.com/

April 26, Friday Jen Eskridge, http://reannalilydesigns.com/blog/

April 29, Monday Sarah Flynn, http://fairyfacedesigns.blogspot.com/

April 30, Tuesday Dana Bolyard, http://oldredbarnco.blogspot.com/

May 1, Wednesday Amy Smart, http://www.diaryofaquilter.com/

May 2, Thursday Carrie Bloomston, http://suchitysuch.blogspot.com/

May 3, Friday Victoria Findlay Wolfe, http://www.bumblebeansinc.blogspot.com/

May 6, Monday Lindsey Rhodes, http://lrstitched.com/

May 7, Tuesday Pippa Eccles Armbrester, http://www.pippapatchwork.com/blog/

So, leave a comment here for your chance to win.  Then go visit all the other blogs listed above for additional chances to win.  I'll announce a winner on Friday, May 3, 2013.

-dana

Bean Spilling

 

 

My hands are sweaty and my stomach is all twisty.  That's my quilt on the cover of a book set for release from Martingale in April.  In an effort of keeping it real, cause you know I like to do that, I had to backspace and retype that sentence three times.  My fingers are having a hard time locating the letters on my keyboard.

 

Mine is one of 14 quilts you'll find in Modern Baby.  Here is what the kind, kind people at Martingale say about the book on their website:

 

In this amazingly diverse collection, a bevy of talented quilting bloggers present appealing baby-quilt designs for sewists and quilters of all skill levels. Designers include Amy Smart, Audrie Bidwell, Carolyn Friedlander, Carrie Bloomston, Dana Bolyard, Jake Finch, Jen Eskridge, Lindsey Rhodes, Melissa Corry, Pippa Eccles Armbrester, Sarah Flynn, Shea Henderson, and Victoria Findlay Wolfe.

• Showcase bright, bold solids and modern fabrics--perfect for stimulating Baby's senses
• Choose from 14 small quilts that can be easily completed in time for the baby shower
• Rely on clear instructions and illustrations for each inviting design

Eeeeekkk!!

-dana