One way flight

Later this summer I'll be taking a one way flight to California.  After 28 years in Pennsylvania I'm going to make the giant leap across the country.

PHL to San Elijo Hills

Why you ask?

Many reasons... but the #1 reason is family.

You see 14 years ago my brother moved to California.  It was clear pretty quickly that he was never coming back to PA.  So I've spent half of my life apart from him.  Well the time has come for us to all be together again.

Brad & Julie - Disneyland 2007

My brother was in town recently for a friend's wedding & it was great to have the four of us together.  But Karin was at home with Elijah and Aliyah.  We have only all been together so few times... and to this day we have never had all seven of us together.

7/9/11

I will miss Philadelphia.  I'll miss Rita's water ice and Wawa.

I'll miss my sorority sisters.

I'll miss Alumni events at our sorority house.

I'll miss my favorite cousin.

I will miss holiday dinners in this house. {But I won't miss getting a pie with candles at thanksgiving instead of a real birthday cake.}

I'll miss going to Phillies games.

I will miss my Philadelphia modern quilt guild.I'll miss my LP crew that I go to all my shows with.I'll miss my extended family.I'll miss my friends.I'll miss many things.
I won't miss driving in the snow.

I won't miss watching my dad try to clear the driveway. {Or trying to do it myself!}

It snows too much sometimes!

This house has a lot of memories... but I can take those with me.

I'm looking forward to spending more time with my family & making new memories.

I'm looking forward to watching Aliyah grow up. {She is walking since I last saw her!}

I'm looking forward to being woken up with hugs and kisses by Elijah.

I'm looking forward to regular trips to Disneyland.

Disney 2008 with Karin & Elijah

My parents are looking forward to more time with their grandkids... and both of their kids at the same time.

We are all looking forward to more tickle fights!!

In general... we are all just really really excited about spending more time together.

I'm also looking forward to being much closer to all the amazing quilters and friends I've already made in California.

I mean really... could you resist this face?

I didn't think so!

Of course I'm a mix of emotions.I'm sad & happy at the same time.I'm nervous & excited...
I cried as I called close friends over the weekend to tell them the news.  I cried as I wrote this blog post, but I'm ready for this move.  I'm so excited for the unkown... as crazy as that sounds.

My favorite quote has always been..."Forget regret or life is yours to miss."
-- Brad,Yes... it is "your fault" for moving to California.But I don't blame you... I want to thank you.I love you so much... and I'm so excited to be starting the next chapter of my life in Sunshine.  You are the best brother I could have ever asked for.  Thank you for giving me the nickname J-Bird, for believing in me, pushing me and for never letting me settle for anything but the best.

--
So...I'll be taking a blog break as we sort, pack & plan the big move.  When I have time I'll post a photo or two & maybe a giveaway here and there.  I will be having a GIANT online shop update as I need to decide what I can take with me and what fabric/things I have to part with.  If you e-mail me & don't hear back right away please understand.  Once the move is made I'll be back to regular blogging.  Thank you all for your love & support!!


© Blog post written by Julie Herman
For more information visit http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/

Get "Lazy" with me in LA!

Come join me next week for a workshop at Sew Modern while I'm in LA!!  Sew Modern happens to be down the road from where my brother lives and I was able to plan to teach one workshop while I'm in LA.  Details below!!

Julie Herman from Jaybird Quilts will be here to teach you all about the Lazy Angle Ruler!
 Learn all of the ins and outs of the Lazy Angle Ruler, and how to apply it to any of the Jaybird Quilts Lazy Angle Patterns such as:

All tools and patterns will be available to purchase at the shop at the usual 15% class supply discount.

The one afternoon class will be on Thursday, July 28th from 3pm-6pm, $40.00

Call us quickly to reserve your spot- 310 869-9212!

© Blog post written by Julie Herman
For more information visit http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/

Long Beach Quilt Festival

The Long Beach Quilt Festival is one of my favorite retail shows.  I attended it in 2009 & 2010 and almost wasn't going to make it this year.... but at the last moment flight prices dropped enough for me to book a ticket!! {It also means I get to spend a few days with Elijah!}

Details...
International Quilt Festival - Long Beach
July 29-31, 2011
Long Beach, California
Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center

I've met some amazing quilting celebrities and friends at LBQF.

Two years ago I met Sandy Klop for the first time.  

I also met ModaLissa in 2009

...and the famous Natalie of Beyond the Reef

Other amazing people I met at LBQF in 2009...Alissa of Handmade by Alissa, The Modern Quilt Guild & Author of Block Party!Jake Finch of Generation Q MagazineEleanor BurnsGina Halladayand many many more!
I also made new friends & quilt family in 2010.
--
Come visit Beyond the Reef in Booth #937!All my patterns will be there along with some new samples of them.
:-)



© Blog post written by Julie Herman
For more information visit http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/

Blogger's Choice

Have you heard about Blogger's Choice?

Blogger's Choice are custom selected bundles by some of your favorite bloggers available exclusively at Fat Quarter Shop.  Each month a different blogger will be featured & this is my month!

Who else is involved??

Rachel of p.s. i quilt featured hers last month.

John aka Quilt Dad has one coming soon!

and many other top bloggers too!

I love love love my bundle!!

I'm a big orange fan & that is where my bundle started... add in some teal & grey and this is what you get!

I have lots of ideas of what to make with my bundle... I may order a 2nd one and make a few things. 

One of my ideas is to make Firecracker.  I made it up digitally to see what it would look like.

Here it is with a light grey background.  I like it... but I want more of a pop...

So here it is with a black background!!

The contrast is great!

 Head on over to Fat Quarter Shop to learn more and enter for a chance to win a FQ set of the fabrics I picked out!!
note: this is not the giveaway post.you must go to Fat Quarter Shop's blog to enter.thanks!


© Blog post written by Julie Herman
For more information visit http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/

Dear Sunday Stash,

I miss you... really I do.

My last report was March 20th, week 12 this year.  It was around that time that pre-market sewing went from high speed into turbo speed.  Originally I had planned on keeping track of the numbers in my spreadsheet and posting when I found time.  My last entry was on April 22.  After that I lost track of all numbers in and out.

I won't be posting numbers in and out today.  But I'm posting some yummy fabric pictures and maybe sometime soon I'll get back into the habit of recording in & out.

This yummy stack just arrived!!

15 coordinated fat quarters picked by me.  More info about it coming soon.

Home Dec weight of Silent Cinema by Jenean Morrison

I'm in love with Silent Cinema.  I have so many ideas that I have yet to decide anything!

I've been using my lily bag all the time.  Originally I thought it would be too small for daily use... but it has actually been perfect.  I might use the Silent Cinema Home Dec fabric to make a second one.

© Blog post written by Julie Herman
For more information visit http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/

Fat Quarter Shop Giveaway Winners

It's time to announce the winner of this week's giveaway.  A big thanks to Fat Quarter Shop for sponsoring it!  Your comments about your favorite coming soon items were great.  I now have a very long wish list!

Two lucky people have each won an Amy Butler Quilting Solids Fat Quarter Bundle

The winners are...

Katie Jean & Marjorie please contact me with your info!
Thank you to everyone who entered!


© Blog post written by Julie Herman
For more information visit http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/

In memory of Brian Wagner

Six years ago today an amazing artist & professor lost his battle with Lung Cancer.  Brian Wagner was more than just a teacher and advisor to me, he was a friend.  In the fall of 2001 a young 18 year old {me} went off to Drexel University to study design.  It was hard and I almost quit.  Brian was the first person to make me feel like a person and not a number.  From that day on I took his classes whenever I could.  He taught me Design 101, Design 102, countless oil painting courses as well as a few independent study classes.  He pushed me to think, to experiment and to have fun in the process.  I would not be who I am today had he not taken me under his wing.

Brian Wagner (1947-2005)

I don't have photos of any other teachers from college, but as luck would have it I have one with Brian.  It was May 2004 and I was out with my sorority sisters helping paint our sidewalk block on greek walk.  It was then that I got this photo with Brian.

Julie & Brian
May 2004

Brian was a collector.  His office walls were covered with rulers, yardsticks, and measuring tapes of all kinds.  He found beauty and art in the everyday things we often ignore.  This is an image of 5000 Sticks.  They are broomsticks and mop handles collected and salvaged over the course of 15+ years.

5000 Sticks

After Brian passed another very caring teacher asked if I'd like some of Brian's paintbrushes and supplies. I said yes and put them together in a shadow box.  The framed supplies have hung in my apartment or house since I put it together.  {I had to take it off the wall & take the glass out to get a good photo}

I treasure the supplies and keep them around as a reminder to experiment... to play... to try new things.

I miss you Brian & I thank you for giving me the courage to try.




© Blog post written by Julie Herman
For more information visit http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/