Shoot for the Moon #23- MD stamp – on a roll!

Maryland Statestamp TM

I am so happy about America that I was able to finish the Maryland State stamp I have had on a back burner. It is funny when you get on a good wave of creative juices the designs just flow easily. But as you have seen in the past few blog entries that does not always happen. I am happy I got stuck on the America stamp. I am grateful I asked for help and got awesome feedback. My hope it that it illustrated how artists experience blocks all the time. I guess I am old enough to know when I need to ask for help. I could have just let the America stamp set and eventually work something out – but I know it has become something so much more by getting feedback from my friends…you know it takes a village to create a Nationstamp!

Annapolis too!

So here is the Maryland StateStamp. It will have two versions. One will be the MD stamp, the other Annapolis. I will make some FREE alternative type/images for my friends in Annapolis. They have really wanted an Annapolis Citystamp. Don’t tell the people of Annapolis but I really do not think the rest of the country will think that Annapolis will be able to hang with DC, NY, Phillie and Chicago. shhhhh! So that is the beauty of having a small business – no red tape – I can make any stamps I want. So the MD stamp will have FREE pattern pieces on my website to replace the words MARYLAND with “Annapolis” … and…wallah!…Annapolis CityStamp! Annapolis should not feel bad…Keepsake Quilting did not take Baltimore Citystamp in their order. Keepsake Quilting is the largest retail quilt catalog in the world. They only took the four big cities. They are featuring my stamp patterns in their current catelog – that is good!

Take a sneak peek! …

As you can see the stamp includes the Black eyed Susan – the state flower,  the Oak leafs – the state tree,  an Oriole the state bird, a Maryland crab and of course the capital building in Annapolis.  In the bottom right is the Navy Anchor symbol for the Annapolis Naval academy. The water in the back is the Chesapeake Bay with a simple skip-jack floating along. This should make all the proud Maryland people happy and satisfy that extra proud Annapolis gang!

Shoot 4 the Moon#22 – America Forever – critique talk…

THANKS to everyone for their help. I am 90% sure this will be my final for America, my first NationStampTM.  What I like about this version of America  is that it looks peaceful and tranquil. The eagle is swooping down with the best message ever – “In God we Trust”/the nations motto. By adding the red/white and blue border instead of my typical black and white zebra stripe added what was missing for me. There is not any reference to man made products – like buildings or monuments.

It has been interesting getting comments and how people phrased their comments. I got feedback such as… love the eagle, hate the eagle, too busy, off colors, etc.  I had many people sending critique apologetically. I found that interesting. I thought it worth blogging about. Let me explain something about critique. When an artist asks for critique – it is more like feedback. I do not take any comment personally. All comments are mere comments from that person’s perspective. By not taking comments personally I benefit – my design benefits. Asking for feedback/critique it is not in any way putting me in a vulnerable position. Maybe new my critics felt that giving feedback could be offensive. It is the comments I have gotten from all of you that allowed me to get where I need to go. I found this whole process very interesting. I belong to two fiber artist groups where we are well versed in critique. It was interesting to see how a group of mostly non-artists (not sure what to call you all) responded.I did have a few artsy friends give great feedback too.

Let me explain why I asked for help. I could have just let the design sit and bug me. I might have released the pattern as it was – mediocre. I have made enough designs to know that if I made a design that I was less than thrilled with it would bug me forever! I usually ask for feedback from my art groups, however it is summer and we did not meet. I thought about sending it out to my friends, family and blog followers. It was a great idea. I got back bits and pieces from all my supporters that was spot on – just like my critique groups with professional artists. So I thank you for your comments. No need for any apologies when I ask for critique. Thank you Thank you.I appreciate that you gave honest detailed responses.

It is a good feeling when you finally arrive at a place you are happy with. Somehow I just know when a design is done, balanced and conveys the message I wanted to get across. I know this America design may not be for everyone but it makes my heart sing. I can’t wait to make it. I will use some gold lame and gold piping to give the stamp prestige.  Take a look.

More feedback….

I am just not thrilled with the USA pattern. I have reworked it in three ways – See if any of these speak to any of you. I thought I would include you all in my design process – so you can see how long it takes to tweak and get it right. Take a look…. The bottom right has oak leaves – which is the National tree and a rose which is the national bird. The eagle is the national symbol, the motto is In God we Trust and of course the nations capital building is in the center.

NEED FEEDBACK! on USA stamp -asap please

Here is my USA stamp – please send me feedback on the design. ASAP – Need to get booking on these last few patterns.

What do you think? USA Stamp

Shoot for the Moon #21

Reflections

We have been vacationing in Hilton Head SC for the past week and a half. While here we have had time to relax, reflex and regroup. We have 4 days left until we return to MD. I have biked over 80 miles while on the island and it has given me time to reflect. Seems like when you are building a business you are always working or reflecting.

I went to the movies to see Julia Julie – a movie about a current day woman trying to find her purpose in life along side Julia Child the famous chef. Julie was trying to figure out what gave her joy. She found out she loved to cook. Julia Child’s story was about her life in pursuing the same thing- cooking. Julie set a goal to make everyone of Julia Child’s recipes in one year and blog about it. Julia tried many hobbies and finally went to culinary school, met a few other chefs and published her famous French Cooking book for Americans. Long and the short Julie became famous on the web and eventually wrote a book and a movie about her passion and Julia Child – well – you know how that story went. Or – maybe you don’t. Go see the movie it is an excellent lesson in following your dreams.

The most compelling scenes from the movie for me where when Julie was laying on the kitchen floor crying her eyes out with frustration and self doubt. The other scene was when Julia discovered it took 8 years to write her cookbook that she thought would take two and she was repeatedly rejected by publishers until she too came to the conclusion – What am I doing? Have I wasted 8 years of my life?

Rarely do successful people become successful overnight. You have to work hard and be ready to dart through every door of opportunity if it pops up. While riding on my bike I was constantly struggling with thoughts of what the heck are you doing? along with thoughts of how far I have come.

How far have I come?

In the past two months I have been booking lectures/workshops almost every week. That’s good. I had my Obama Quilt featured in American Quilter. That’s good. We have seen internet sales increase from a few per month to several per week. That’s good. I have four patterns in Keepsake Quilting – the largest retail catalog in the world – that’s good. I have a seven page article coming out in Quilting Arts Magazine – that’s good. BUT… Do my patterns have longevity? Will they continue to sell? Am I making enough new stuff to keep up with the industry? It can make you crazy.

While down here I finished my Texas pattern. I just need to go make the sample and get them printed. Now I am playing with a USA stamp. There are only 6 weeks before Market. I think I am going to redo my booth walls. I have to move into my new space – the barn. I need to complete 4 more florals to make a line of 24 florals. I really want to make an art quilt or two – but I guess that must wait until after market.

Self Doubt

That factor of self doubt is always present. It seems to intensify as I progress because I have more and more invested. I have a room full of patterns and lots of fabric and money in equipment and displays. I guess the key is to be strong and continue to follow the mission of pursuing my passion to see the world through quilting. I think I should add “comfortably”. Yes – my mission is to pursue my passion to see the world through quilting comfortably. One more revision…my misson is to persue my passion to see the world through quilting very comfortably. Part of the success for me is making a few bucks along the way. No – making a lot of bucks along the way. That is not bad – it is challenging. I have heard many times through quilters you can work really hard and almost make a living. HUH? I do not subscribe to the life of a starving artist – or a starving quilt artist. That is fuel for me to push forward.

Also there is self doubt about every pattern I design. What if I cannot come up with another great design? I know that is crazy – but it is what courses through my twisted mind every time I need start a new design.I know I am not alone in these thoughts.

I hope this blog is giving you insight as to what it takes to try to make a business out of your passion. There is not one book or recipe out there to make a business in three easy lessons. It is trial and error. It is hard work – both mental and physical. It is the stick to it attitude. I am not sure where I heard/saw this but I saw an interview with Donald Trump. He said he has seen so many people shoot for the moon only to give up just before they reach their goal. The key is to out last the strain and drain and to find ways to keep moving forward even if that means only inches at a time.

I am writing this blog as I go. It is what I a doing and how I am feeling. It is a plan, a review and a learning tool. I hope to go back and reread all of this blog when I have a thriving business that is recognized in the quilting world and is profitable and innovative.

Last Thoughts – Market

Approaching Houston is another time to reflect. Getting ready for Pittsburgh – spring market 09 – my first market was nerve wracking and challenging. Now getting ready for the biggest market/quilt festival in the world I am feeling different. I have seen that much of the excitement and enthusiasm generated at market is not followed through on. I was approached by several companies and businesses that forgot all about their market conversations. That was very disappointing  – especially the fabric companies. I did make some great shop connections that resulted in good contacts and great sales. I think going to Houston I will walk in with my feet on the ground. I will temper all offers and possibilities with pause. It will be different going by plane and shipping all of my stuff. I have three friends that have offered to help. Gary is planning to come down for some of the market. It is all a huge undertaking.

I will keep you posted about how things progress.

I am interested to see how the new studio barn has progressed. I do not think I have explained what the studio will be like. So here is a snapshot.The studio is atop the garage which is 30′ x 40′. The roof slopes leaving about 18′ x 40′ of usable space. The sloped areas will be for storage. I plan to keep the space as open as possible. I will have a couch and chair on one end with a flat screen tv for hand work and conversation. Behind the couch will be my primary sewing station looking out over the double window to the front of our property.  On one side of the room will be build in closets with doors for all my stash held in wire frames. On the other will be two walk in closets and a large design wall. There are 5 dormers with window seats. There is a small bathroom on the garage level. I did not want to sacrifice any studio space for a toilet! I plan to paint the whole thing  white with lime green walls on each end and in every dormer. It should be bright and cheery and great for working and creating.

I plan to have an open house and offer classes right from my studio. I am really looking forward to that.

Ok – better go get to work now! UNtil next time. …

Hilton Head August 2009

We are having a ball down here. Tomorrow kids are going para-sailing! Yikes – I will be watching and taking pix from the boat.  Here are some pix!

Shoot for the Moon #20

We are in Hilton Head for two weeks. The weather is great and the ocean is as warm as a bath. We are relaxing and having fun. We have been here for 3 days and I have already stuffed 350+ patterns! I realized I really like to stuff patterns while watching TV.

So even on vacation I can’t stop thinking about Zebra! I have some news. I just approved my article in Quilting Arts for the Sept/Oct Issue. It is very nice. QA has an editor named Barbara who is fantastic. So look for my article on “Oversketching” in the Sept/Oct issue. It is 7 pages!!!! I got an email from my sister that my citystamps are in this months Keepsakes Quilting Catalog. That is very exciting as well! I checked them out. They are in the applique pattern section.

Before we left for Hilton Head I finished my TEXAS stamp. Check it out. That is my second StateStampTM. I think next will be MD then CA. ALSO – I have Ohio, Baltimore and At the Beach available in Pre-printed panels! I did that because I realized I was missing out on a large part of the quilters that were not comfortable with applique. The pre-printed panel makes it easy for any level quilter to make a city or state stamp. Look on my zebrapatterns store soon to see the panels for sale!

Texas StateStamp tm

Thinking about the future…

Okay so we are approx 6 weeks out until Houston.  I am getting a bit freaked out. This time I have to fly to Market as it is in Houston. Pittsburgh was nice in Spring being only 5 hours away. That means I have to ship everything and rent a car when I am down there. ANOTHER new experience! I will be renting poles for my booth and a rug. One of my customers suggested I change my walls from Navy to white or tan to lighted up the whole space. I think I might do that!

Stay tuned – more to come!