March 29, 2013

Book Signing at A&E

Last weekend, A&E Fabric, Variety & Craft Store helped me celebrate the release of my new book by hosting a book signing and trunk show.  I wish all of you could have been there becaue we had so much fun.  Since you couldn't make it, I'm sharing lots of pictures. 
 
I had a lot of help with the quilts in Scrap-Basket Beauties.  My friend Karen pieced and quilted two quilts for the book, and my friend Nancy quilted ten of the quilts that I pieced.  As if all they did wasn't enough, I also forced asked them to sign books, too.  Apparently, they couldn't find anything better to do on a Saturday morning, so they agreed.  Here we are with Rhonda, pretending to be hard at work. 
 
 
A&E is closer to where I work than to where I live, so I like to shop and hang out there during my lunch hour.  If you go there around noon, you'll likely see me walking around mesmerized and running over people with my shopping cart.  These are the people who cut my fabric, help me choose borders, know exactly where to find everything, and make me laugh.  Tovah, Martha, Ollie, and Veronica.   
 
 
And here's Liz (pink blouse) sitting with Nancy, Karen, and me.  Liz makes the others behave (or tries her best) and orders everything for the fabric department. 
 
 
Here's my friend Karen (a/k/a Nana Girl).  
 
 
I can't remember if I've ever told you how I know Karen.  (If I have, feel free to skip past this part!)  Karen and I worked at the same law firm for 12 years.  Most days, instead of going out for lunch, we would work on quilts together.  After four years or so, our firm moved to a different building.  There was an empty office, so we filled it with quilting tools, sewing machines, a design wall, an iron, an ironing board, and even a small stash of fabric.  We had so much fun together working on projects, cutting, pressing, and sewing.  Our firm's telephone directory listed a telephone extension for the "Sewing Room."  We accomplished a lot, an hour at a time.  We no longer work at the same firm, but she's only a couple of blocks away. 
 
And here's Nancy. 
 
 
I met Nancy when she set up her longarm business at A&E.  She has a machine at work and a machine at home.  I think she has separation anxiety when she leaves one behind.  Nancy saved my life.  Maybe literally.  I was extremely behind in finishing the sample quilts for the book.  Nancy agreed to quilt "a few" of the sample quilts, and ended up quilting ten!  I would pick up one quilt and deliver another quilt top to her every few days.  I still can't believe she didn't run like the wind when she saw me coming.  I'm so glad she didn't, because she did a fabulous job on my quilts.  If you're anywhere near Pensacola and need a quilter, please let me know and I'll be happy to give you her contact information.  She's really good at choosing quilting designs that enhance the design of the quilt.  Like this one.
 
  
This is the back of Perpetual Motion.  I'm crazy about this free-hand modified Baptist Fan design.  Just too cool. 
 
A sweet lady named Wanda had made a few quilts from my first two books, and she brought them to hang in the store.  You'll see them mixed in with some of the sample quilts in these pictures. 
 
 
 
 

 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thank you so very much, Rhonda, Liz, Tovah, Martha, Ollie, Veronica, Wanda, Karen, and Nancy.  And thank you to all of you who sacrificed your Saturday to come by and visit.  It means so much to me.  Hope to run into you at A&E soon.  But hopefully not with my shopping cart. 
 
Kim

31 comments:

Lori said...

Congratulations! It looks like a great turnout and a wonderful day to spend with good friends.
Pretty funny about the law office sewing room!! One of a kind, I bet.

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

Oh wow! it looks like y'all have a very good time together. I think I might be turning a wee bit green. :-o Have a happy weekend!

Angie Burrett said...

Sounds like huge fun - and what a lot of wonderful inspiration! Thanks so much for sharing, Happy Easter weekend!

Little Island Quilting said...

I have to laugh: in the UK, 'A&E' stands for 'Accident and Emergency'....where you get taken by the ambulance!!

Helen in the UK said...

How wonderful to work near a shop with that much wonderful fabric. I'd be broke long before pay-day! Looks like the signing was a great success :)

Debbie said...

Definitely wish I could have been there. I sure enjoyed all the fun pictures of the ladies who support you...and all those gorgeous quilts!

Vickie E said...

Looks like you had a great day. Love to see the pictures :)

Anonymous said...

Looks like a wonderful time! Congratulations on the new book!

Terri

Anonymous said...

Great post, love seeing not only your quilts but you girls in the photos. I'm already working on SEA GLASS! I'm at a stopping point until I find borders and setting triangle fabric but blocks are done! It would be nice to have that shop close by. BTW....never ever am I too busy to help you! You've got a great crew there!!

tealeafquilts said...

SEW much fun! Wish I had taken the time to drive over from FWB to visit! A&E is an awesome shop.

Abby and Stephanie said...

A quilt shop with shopping carts! Love that idea. Your quilts are gorgeous and how wonderful to have the support of friends. Love the office sewing space. I might forget to get "back to work."

Sinta Renee said...

WOW! It's so fun to see all of your quilts hanging there in the store Kim! I'll bet that never gets old for you:) It's so nice to "meet" Karen and your LAQ gal. That store is amazing. I use to have a "spare" office set up at my workplace also... it is amazing how much you can get done in an hour. I love this post!!! xxoo

Lynn said...

Your new book is fantastic! Looks like it was a great day with quilts and friends. Your quilts are beautiful hanging in the store.

Mama Pea said...

What fun! My book arrived yesterday, and I read it from cover to cover last night. I just love it. So many in there I want to make! I think it's your best yet, and that's saying something!!! I will reply to your email shortly!

Karen said...

Your post has captured the day perfectly. I was so glad to have spent the day with you, sharing in all the fun. Being a part of these books has been a true joy for me. Congrats on a great book!

Trudi said...

What a fantastic day! Congratulations on another roaring success! Happy Easter x

Rachaeldaisy said...

How exciting to have a book signing!! All the quilts hanging around the room look so glorious! I think every workplace should have a Sewing Room!

MamaT said...

Wow! That was a lot of great pictures! Thanks for sharing. I loved hearing about you and Karen. I keep up with her blog, too. It's wonderful to have quilting buddies!

Carla said...

Great post, KIm! It is fun to see you and all of your quilts plus your friends and co-workers, especially, Karen! Congrats on your success.

Anonymous said...

Me again...came back to link your this post to my blog and discovered a NEW header with kitty! Your hired...for mine!!!

Kaaren said...

Great post! I thoroughly both the photos and the stories.

Congratulations on your new book. I hope that it's a blockbuster hit. Now I must order my copy!

AnnieO said...

Cracked up at the phone extension for the Sewing Room at the law firm! What a great way to spend lunch :) Glad you ladies all had fun at the book signing. I adore seeing all the quilts made from your books. Can't wait to get the new one :)

Purple Pam said...

Glad to read your new book is out. I have been waiting for it. Looks like all you ladies had a great time signing books. Thanks for all the pix of the quilts and fabric in the store. Wish I was that close to such a neat fabric store.

Darlene said...

What a great day! And, so many beautiful quilts from your new and old book(s). Definitely eye candy.

Thank you for sharing your day with us.

KMSC said...

I wish I lived near Pensacola so I could have attended your book signing. Your book looks fantastic and I can't wait to find it at my LQS.

a good yarn said...

What fun it would have been to share the day! Thanks for all the pix. I feel like one of the gang now that I've finished my quilt from Scrap Basket Surprises.

Dianne Mitzel said...

I thought I recognized that pretty lady with the white hair, and blue eyes..so this is where you hang out, looks like a fabulous place..love the quilts...about finished with my blessings from the hollow, then on to your quilt!

MARCIE said...

Just saw your book posted at Quilt Hollow so I came for a visit. What a great display of quilts! Your book looks wonderful! Best of luck with everything! And love your law office story. Hilarious!

Janan Doster said...

How exciting to have a new book. I can't wait to see it! You do have a sweet friend, Karen. I met her in Dothan last year, and I really feel blessed that we met. I love reading her blog, and yours too!
Congratulations!

Aby Dolinger said...

Congratulations on your new book! I look forward to adding a copy to my library.

FlourishingPalms said...

How exciting all this is for you! Congratulations! I wish you abundant success with the sale of your book. How coincidental that you know Karen W so well! I "know" her through her blog, and she's such a dear, as well as being a beautiful woman. Such a small world we live in! Loved the story of how you and Karen met and sewed together at work. I am still looking for such a sewing "soul mate." Now I feel like I know you. Thanks for liking my photos on IG. FlourishingPalms Linda