Welcome! What an honor to be one of the stops along the Just in Time Blog Hop! The Just in Time Promotion, which launched at Spring Quilt Market earlier this year, gave us the opportunity to team up with some pretty amazing partners — NY Times Best-Selling Author Marie Bostwick, Deb Tucker of Deb Tucker’s Sudio 180 Design, Jackie Kunkel of Canton Village Quilt Works, and the incomparable team at Island Batik.
The promotion centers around Marie’s new book, Just in Time and a coordinating quilt pattern called New Beginnings designed by Deb Tucker of Studio 180 Designs. Add in a new Island Batik fabric collection by Kathy Engle for Jackie Kunkel of Canton Village Quilt Works, some coordinating Aurifil 50wt threads, and the perfect companion tools from Studio 180 Designs… and you’ve got a party!
ABOUT JUST IN TIME
Fifteen years ago, Grace Saunders vowed to take her beloved husband for better or worse. Now she’s coming to terms with difficult choices as she crafts a memory quilt from scraps of their life together—a life torn to shreds by an accident that has left him in a coma. Enduring months of limbo, Grace is at least not alone.
Nan has been widowed for twenty years, but now, with her children grown, her home feels painfully empty. Even the company of her golden retriever, Blixen, and a series of other rescue dogs, can’t fill the void. Then there’s Monica, a feisty woman with a biting wit who’s reeling following her husband’s death—and the revelation of his infidelity.
As for Grace, a chance evening with a man she barely knows brings a glimmer of joy she hasn’t felt since the tragedy—along with feelings of turmoil and guilt. But her struggle to cope will force all three women to face their fears, share their deepest secrets—and lean on one another as they move from grief and isolation to hope, and a second chance at happiness…
ABOUT NEW BEGINNINGS
Marie has a lifelong love of quilting and loves finding ways to connect that love with her passion for writing and story-telling. She joined forces with Deb Tucker to take it all to the next level. As long-time friends, Deb designs a companion pattern for each of Marie’s books. For Just in Time, Deb designed and created the New Beginnings Quilt Pattern. The design is inspired by the overall theme of the book and the many life transitions experienced by the book’s rich characters.
Deb’s design uses both her Quilter’s Magic Wand and Tucker Trimmer Design Tools.
ABOUT ALL A FLUTTER
All a Flutter, Jackie Kunkel’s latest collection (by Kathy Engle for Island Batik) is a stunning collection of pinks, purples, and turquoise. In addition to the Just in Time promotion, Jackie put together a gorgeous range of quilts to showcase the lovely line. We had a chance to chat with her about her involvement and always love hearing her thoughts!
How did you first come to work with Deb & Marie?
I first met Marie when I worked at a quilt shop in CT. I want to say it was 2007 — she was writing her first Cobbled Court Quilt Series book A Single Thread. And Deb, well, I can’t pinpoint the date, but I believe that we met because of her rulers back around the same time and became friends from there. Then, lo and behold, I found out that they were both friends too!
What drew you to this story in particular?
In all honesty, I knew it would be a winner because Marie’s is a tremendous author and her books always weave a fantastic story line. Her characters are always likable, in their own way. I never hesitate to grab Marie’s books when I know one is coming out.
What have you loved most about working in partner with Deb and Marie… to be a part of the Just in Time story?
Working with both Deb and Marie is always fun! There are great ideas that are tossed around, lots of laughs, and great results too! Partnering up with these two ladies is always a treat and I’m proud of the work we’ve created.
Your All a Flutter fabrics have been featured as a part of this story — what is your favorite piece of the collection?
Oh boy, now that is a loaded question, because they all are my faves. But, I love the birds and dragonflies… If you really want me to choose!
How did you go about picking the coordinating threads for the project?
When I choose thread colors to coordinate, I always think about how I am going to use them. I love to feature a good mix of matching and contrasting threads so that quilters can choose between a thread that would blend versus a thread that would contrast and be more visible. Likewise if they are doing machine appliqué or handwork. These colors all sing spring!!!
Do you have a favorite piece made with your collection?
I would have to say my Suncatcher Quilt Pattern would be my first love! It is an easy Paper Pieced pattern and just has a fabulous look to it.
THE JUST IN TIME EXPERIENCE
Shops who were interested in getting involved with the Just in Time promotion had some pretty awesome options including a New Beginnings Shop Kit (everything needed to make a New Beginnings sample including fabric, thread, quilt pattern, a book, and Studio 180 design tools) and a New Beginnings Quilt Shop Party Kit (book-themed menus, promotions, events, and classes specifically for quilt shops).
We’re happy to say that some fabulous shops are now offering a full Just In Time Experience! Join them for themed events around the book and the New Beginnings quilt, created from the available kits, with a heavy dose of shop owner savvy and super quilty creativity. Get together and read and stitch and enjoy the company of your fellow quilters! The shops below have joined in on the fun. Be sure to call for more information, as events, schedules, and project availability vary. The starred shops have ALSO won a live chat for their customers with the author herself, Marie Bostwick!
Annie’s Quilt Shoppe – Shelton, WA
** Country Traditions – Fremont, NE
** Holly’s Quilt Cabin – Centennial, CO
Quilting Fairy – Puyallup, WA
Quilt with Passion – Oswego, OR
** Quilt Basket – Wappingers Falls, NY
** Sew In Stitches – Pocatello, ID
The Finishing Stitch – Dover, PA
** Wish Upon a Quilt – Raleigh, NC
BLOG HOP SCHEDULE
We are the last stop on the hop! Don’t miss all of the posts from earlier this week — Deb Tucker shared some quilting tips, Jackie is offering a pattern giveaway, and Island Batik kicked off the magic on Monday!
October 8 — Island Batik
October 9 — Deb Tucker’s Studio 180 Design
October 10 — Jackie Kunkel, Canton Village Quilt Works
October 11 — Aurifil (you are here!)
RESOURCES
- Just in Time by Marie Bostwick
- All a Flutter by Jackie Kunkel for Island Batik
- Coordinating 50wt thread from Aurifil
- Quilter’s Magic Wand and Tucker Trimmer Design Tools by Studio 180 Designs
ABOUT JACKIE
Website — Blog — Facebook — Pinterest — YouTube — Flickr — Instagram
Jackie has been a quilter since 1993 and has owned her own business, Canton Village Quilt Works since 2000. Beginning her business as a long arm quilter and then in 2009 adding an online quilt fabric shop! She has also been a quilt designer for magazines and fabric companies since 2009, a quilting Podcaster – Jackie‘s Quilting Chronicles, and a Certified Quiltworx.com (Judy Niemeyer) instructor and shop. Jackie travels throughout the country to lecture, do workshops and trunk shows. Jackie‘s first book was published in September 2015 by Martingale & Co-titled Splash of Color: A Rainbow of Brilliant Black and White Quilts. Jackie is also a Craftsy Instructor with two online classes, one is a Quiltworx exclusive and the other is her own! Also, Jackie has her own line of published patterns and will introduce her first full designer fabric collection for Island Batik this Fall!
ABOUT MARIE
Website — Facebook — Instagram — Twitter — Pinterest
Marie Bostwick is a USA Today and New York Times bestselling author of uplifting historical and women’s fiction, including the popular Cobbled Court Quilt and Too Much, Texas series of books. An unabashed advocate of happy endings, Marie crafts strong female characters who feel like friends, bringing messages of hope and encouragement to reader’s lives.
When not traveling the country to speak at quilt shows, libraries, and conferences, Marie and her husband live in Oregon. They have three grown sons, two daughters-in-love, and four adorable and extremely advanced grandchildren.
ABOUT DEB
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Deb is the creator of all the tools and techniques that form the basis for Studio 180 Designs. In addition to her decades of teaching, she has edited two international quilting magazines; taught and lectured about quilting nationally and internationally; presided over the Vermont State Quilt Guild for several years; and has held many traditional terms of office in a number of local quilt guilds. Her background in education and architecture perfectly suit her current role as designer and educator for Studio 180 Design. She is the inspiration that keeps the company coming up with new ideas and innovative tools and techniques.
ABOUT ISLAND BATIK
Website — Blog — Facebook — Pinterest — Twitter — Instagram
Island Batik is a manufacturer, importer and distributor of cotton batik, rayon batik and hand-printed cotton from Indonesia. Originally established in 1997, Island Batik’s mission is to share the ancient cultural art of batik and hand-dyed fabric with our many valued customers around the world.
Thanks for the great article. I enjoyed reading about the fabric, thread, pattern, and book. The fabric and thread are all beautiful!
Love this collection!! Thank you for sharing all this info.. Gorgeous quilts too!! 🙂
Beautiful collecdtion and colors. Thanks for the great hop.
I adore Marie Bostwick’s Cobbled Court series!! Her stories are so real and compelling, and I will be ordering this new book. Pretty fabric collection, too.
Beautiful story! I loved reading about your life and how you’ll met. Such a wonderful inspiring story. Thank you for sharing a bit with us.
Suncatcher is a looks to be a great pattern for lots of color play. The books are great! And I keep trying to pick up new colors of that great thread!
Love reading to learn more.