UPDATES!
(because I'm too tired to come up with a more clever title)

Jon's been traveling quite a bit lately for business. He spent all last week in Florida and is back there this week... well at least someone in this family gets to enjoy decent weather! So, as you can imagine it's been crazier than usual around here. You never know what you have until it's gone, right? I've been wearing many hats to say the least, from work-related tasks that he had already taken over and I had almost forgotten how to do, to family stuff. Case in point, Jon has been handling breakfast around here for as long as I can remember. Now my mornings go a little like this:

Girls: "That's not how daddy does it!"
Me: "Yeah? Well, daddy's not here, so DEAL!" (haha, not really, but sometimes that's what I wish I could say!) ;)

But life must go on, as they say, and we are having one of our busiest times yet. Jon reminded me this morning on the phone that I hadn't blogged in over 2 weeks. There's so much to talk about I feel like I need to break this up into topics, so here ya go:

FABRIC

I received strike-offs for my new line yesterday. This is the one that debuts in May at the Spring Quilt Market. Everything looked great! Either I'm getting better or our mill is getting better (or both) but I am just thrilled with how smoothly this process is going now, not like all the hiccups I encountered the first couple times. And, is it me or are things moving a lot faster these days? I remember waiting impatiently for what seemed like forever to get these proofs and now they're here before I know it. hmmmm...

Anyway, I'm not quite ready to show the collection yet because it seems like Flora & Fauna just hit stores the other day and I really want to let it shine in the spotlight a little bit longer before I divert everyone's attention to the new stuff. But let me tell ya, though, I am really mixing it up this time... totally different style! Love it!

OKAY, OKAY, you twisted my arm... but just a little sneak (the type that makes you wanna pull your hair out cause you can almost see something)







This collection comes with a surprise print too, not shown above. This one is so special to me that it deserves it's own posting. You'll see what I mean. ;)

Oh, and I think it's finally safe to announce that this Quilt Market I will be showing my fabric designs in 3 different substrates:

quilting cottons
100% cotton interlock (knits!)
cotton laminates (oilcloth!)

I'm having such a great time coming up with projects for all 3 fabric types and even dreaming up ideas to mix & match between them. :)

PATTERNS

We will have 4 new patterns debuting this Spring as well. Just like with the fabric, I don't want to reveal anything yet because the last set just launched barely a month ago, so let's not steal the spotlight. But I can tell you this much: there will be something for kids, something for women and something for dolls. Is that enough of a teaser for ya? ;)

Oh, and speaking of patterns, our beloved KYOKO is finally SOLD OUT! Yep, we underestimated the demand for it once the Mini-Kyoko pattern came out and didn't re-print with the last run. We are not scheduled to print again until early May so it'll be back-ordered for a few months. Sorry! But if you are looking for Kyoko, I invite you to check our extensive list of retailers at the bottom of this page. Retailers: if you've run out of Kyoko and need to re-order, don't fret. We have several US and International distributors that still have Kyoko in stock... email me for a list.

European retailers, we have a new distributor in the Netherlands that services all of Europe, so if you want to avoid those high overseas shipping charges, you may want to check them out. They are fully stocked at the moment... yes, even Kyoko! :) Email me at info@modkidboutique.com for their contact info.

MY MOM
Hey, look mom, you have your own topic! ;)

My mom, a.k.a. Marieliz Creations on Etsy, has finally joined Valerie in the ranks of "licensed sewing pattern designer" for MODKID, LLC. She has already submitted her first pattern design to us and it has been put into production. Can't wait for you all to see. Between the 3 of us we should be able to crank out a wide array of pattern styles and diversify a bit more than we did last year. And, just like with the patterns Valerie designed for us, all patterns will come with the signature MODKID look & feel that you are so accustomed to.

Speaking of my mom, she has also been busy filling up her Etsy store with all kinds of goodies. Check out these apron/oven mitt/towel sets she has up right now. How fun!!




TALKING AND WRITING
Seems like that's all I do these days... write and talk, talk and write (oh and I eat too!)

May will be such an exciting month for us! Not only do we have Quilt Market to look forward to, but also I will be featured in two great industry publications. Where Women Create and American Quilt Retailer will both have articles about yours truly in their May, 2010 issues so go check them out.

Also, a reminder for all you local folks that I will be speaking next week in Peoria. Michael Miller has graciously donated some amazing gift packages, so some of you will walk away with a great freebie! Here's the info:

“My Journey as a Fabric and Pattern Designer”
by Patty Young
March 3, 2010, 6:30 p.m.
Gems of the Prairie Quilters
5614 N. University St., Peoria, IL

GIVEAWAY
Here it is...

If you've read this far, I commend you... and reward you... with your chance to win some yummy fabric. Tell me what your favorite colorway is in Flora & Fauna (or your favorite design) and I will pick a winner to take home a 5-piece 1/2yard bundle of your favorite! GO!

I will pick a winner randomly a week from today.

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Oh, one more thing... Jon and I will be celebrating 10 years of wedded bliss this weekend so we are going away to a spa retreat where I plan to do as little techie stuff as I physically can (you know it's an addiction, right?) Jon asked where I wanted to go for our anniversary and I said I wasn't interested in sightseeing, shopping (gasp!) or anything complicated. I just wanted to enjoy his company and relax, relax, relax.

So, if you think I've fallen off the social networking world in the next few days, I haven't... I'm just bathing in mud with two cucumbers on my eyelids and a Mojito in my hand!

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