Mark Lipinski’s Blog

 Hey Pickles! 

It’s hard to believe but we finally went out two days in a row for fun!   Jeff and I are so bogged down with work that we have literally made ourselves prisoners in our home (or home offices is more to the point).   I was so claustrophobic that I said, “screw it,” and off we went!

  Last night we took Evan to the mall — clothes shopping  and cell phone repairing — only to find out that even the gay families have to face the realization that their kid has racked up 3800 text messages in one month and $300 extra on his phone charges alone for the month!  It’s not like we didn’t warn him but, he knows better.  After-all, he’s lived for almost 16 years!   Grrrrrr!

 Anyway, after the Verizon drama, we ended up trying a Cuban restaurant called, Martino’s Cuban, on the main street of Somerville, NJ.  Fabulous!  

 I love Cuban food.    I lived right off Calle Ocho in Coral Gables (Miami) in the 80’s.  I ate at La Caretta several times a week.  It’s still my favorite Cuban restaurant in America! 

After dinner we hit Barnes and Noble and a bought a couple of truly crappy books from their ON SALE RACK.   You know that I love this kind of shit, and, well, I just couldn’t leave them there, but it’s a shame that trees lost their lives (and I almost lost mine for bringing another quilting book into Pickle Road) for these books.  

Today, we got up early, and at Evan’s request we headed to New Hope, Pennsylvania! 

 It was a cloudy day but a fun one.  It wasn’t too cold.   After we exhausted New Hope we went to Lambertville, New Jersey (which is walking distance from New Hope — across the bridge that goes over the Delaware River — a stone’s throw from where George Washington crossed the Delaware).  

     Liza Lucy lives in New Hope.   Also, the Mancuso Brothers (of multi quilt show fame) have their offices in New Hope.  Here’s the train station in New Hope.  Even the train is vintage and it still runs!  Big plumes of billowing smoke!  Beautiful!

I love to visit these towns.  I always find myself inspired. 

   Lambertville

  Lambertville

  We had lunch here.  I love that this place will only serve dinners on the full moon. PERIOD!

Here’s Jeff and Evan waiting for me so that we can get espressos to go!

WHAT I WANTED:

As you can see on the sign above, there is a great music shop above Bucks Coffee shop.   I was [thisclose] to buying a ukulele! I’ve wanted one for years.  Now you know I’m going to have to go back for the damn thing.   Shit, if Ricky can play the piano, I can warble on a ukulele!  I’m feeling my blood pressure raise as I type.  I shoulda bought the fricking thing. Damn!   Ever find yourself in this predicament? 

 How can you not love a town with a restaurant called ‘SCATmandoo?”  LOL 

 WHAT JEFF WANTED:

 Jeff found this painting that he fell in love within a window in Lamberville.  He went back to look at it several times.  It’s by Jane Gilday and it’s only $1850.00.  ONLY!  

He didn’t get it.  That’s A LOT of money.  So we dream.   What we did get were some small patters for our collection of Fiestaware.   We got the peacock, the lime and the red platters.

We could AFFORD the platters!  LOL

WINDOW SHOPPING

  While we were walking in New Hope Jeff spotted this in a window.  We both really liked the detail on the blouse.  It reminds me of the Andover fabric panels. 

I found this vintage dress on the street and loved the fabric design and colors!  

Here’s more of my window shopping.

  I love how this bag is embellished with regular old buttons and seed beads!

I also love the way this jacket from Nepal is appliqued in such a rough way.  See, beauty is NOT in perfection!  Please remember that!    Jeff hated this piece by the way.  I like the workmanship!

Again, simple embellishment on printed fabric.  You can do that! 

  I like this Russian Doll pillow fabric. This could make a great quilt inspiration! Get to work!

My Attempt at being Artsy-Fartsy

  Lambertville, New Jersey

More Lambertville, New Jersey   

  Loved this fabric hanging in a random door window. Jeff said it looked like a HEAD SHOPPE!

Sorry Ladies!  Look What’s Coming Back!

This “feature” was in today’s newspaper in New York City.  Ugh. 

No matter how sweet, tiny, and delicate, any woman who wears these shoes walks like a Clydesdale!

Be Warned!  Neigggggggggggggh!

Friends and Foes

Click here to read (Feb 16 entry) Ramblings from a Fabric Obsessorwho wonders if her blog will be chosen in the Friend or Foe list.  She’s never read Mark Lipinski’s Quilter’s Home.

 Take a look at Cowgirl Quilter’s blog.  All you have to do is click here.  She thinks I’m brilliant (and I so agree)! 

Bitnbyaquitingbug’s blog shows my Crystal’s Quilt.  I don’t think she’s seen the magazine.  Maybe someone should tell her to hold on to her hat!  LOL  Click here to read it.  By the way, I love the blog name:  Bitnbyaquiltingbug.  I’m a moron. I had to read it super slowly before *DING* I got it!  LOL

The writer of the Quilted with Loveblog really put a lot of thought into her struggle with quilting magazines (in general) and Quilter’s Home.  Maybe I’m just a mush but it almost made me cry.   Anyway, even if you’re not interested in the QH part — take a look at the quilt that her daughters are fighting over.  I just love it and might have to jump into the sibling boxing ring because I want it too!  LOL   Click here to read it.

Later kids!  xoxom

Four new books came in the mail yesterday from C&T books.   That means that they are on your quilt store shelves.  Look for reviews of one or more of them in upcoming issues of Mark Lipinski’s Quilter’s Home.

Mark’s AMERICAN IDOL Watch:

I’m an American Idol junkie.    I’ve watched every show from every season.  

I love this kid, David Archuleta, 17, from Salt Lake City!   I know that he has 8-1 odds to win, and the thought is that he’s ‘fragile’ but so far, I’m rooting for him.  Besides, he kinda looks like Evan’s brother!  He just seems like a really nice kid.

I’m also loving Syesha Mercado from Miami (Odds: 11-1) and Asia’h Epperson of Joplin, MO (Odds 10-1)

Syesha     Asia’h

Also, not crazy about Austrailian and Irish nationals in the competition.  If it’s called American Idol, then it should be limited to Americans, otherwise call it World Idol and allow everyone to compete.  

Michael Johns      Carly Smithson

So while I think these two have real talent, they should compete in Austrailian Idol and Britian’s Pop Idol.  

What do YOU think?

Friend and Foe Blogs

Click here to read a MLQH mention on the Always in Stitches Blog

Click here to read the Barrels of Monkeys blog.   Thank God for 40% off coupons at JoAnn’s!  LOL

Have a wonderful Saturday, Sweeties! xoxom

This poor blogger designed a quilt using my Katmandu  fabric.  I pointed  out her design on the website that featured the quilt, but thought the on-line  shop designed the quilt and completely ignored some cryptic notes I got from this blogger, who actually designed and made the quilt, Strippin’ with the Stars!    Well, it’s the funniest blog about  me (er…to me)I’ve seen to date!  LOL   Click here to read it!

 Speaking of blogs, I got this note from Jane Sassaman.  She has a new blog you might want to check out.  I love Jane.  I love her talent, her fabric, her quilts — you name it, I love it (as long as Jane has something to do with it).

Here’s another blog from The Dreaming Bear.  I used her fabric for the room makeover in the latest Mark Lipinski’s Quilter’s Home. 

Here’s a blog that shows another kitty named Lily (well, sorta’) and she mentions MY Lily.   Click here to read Country Girls Quilting and Craft Adventure and see HER Lily. 

 Later, Daffodils!  xoxom

Hey, kids!

Happy Valentine’s Day! 

This past week has been wild with both the next issue of Mark Lipinski’s Quilter’s Home due as well as 2 chapters of my book — and fabric meetings with Northcott.    Just an FYI:   My new line Northcott line, califon, will be in shops in September!   I’ll be giving you sneak peeks here on the blog and on my website, so stay tuned. 

 On Sunday, I attended the ‘book party’ for Meg Cox, whose book, The Quilter’s Catalog, has finally come to the bookshelves!  It really is a good book and well worth the money.  

  This is just a small area of Pennington Quilt Works turned into Party Central.

   Meg signing autographs! 

 The party was totally FIRST CLASS and hosted by Jan Crane, and held at her shop, Pennington Quilt Works, an incredible quilt shop in Pennington, NJ.   This is a shop NOT to be missed if you’re in the NJ or PA areas.   A visit will be well worth your time.   

   This is me with Jan Crane!  She’s so cute and I loved the color of her top!

It was a crowded affair and Meg sold and signed over 200 books just that evening!  She’s also doing some kind of contest with another favorite fabric company of mine, Benartex.  Keep your eye on the lookout for promotional stuff! 

 Liza Lucy was also at this par-taaay.   

  Liza Lucy, Me and Meg Cox!

In case you missed it (I know that it was making the rounds on the ‘net) but here’s just a shot of Hillary Clinton making press statements in front of a quilt that had been designed by Liza and her partner, Kaffe Fassett!   I believe she told me that this was at Yale.   Now, Liza and Kaffe did not make this particular quilt but Liza tracked down the quilt maker  — but what an honor — whether you’re a Hillary fan or not. 

Speaking of television appearances, I hope you caught the rerun of me on Simply Quilts last week.   It’s show number 1101 if you want to check it out on the HGTV website! 

I know that you guys haven’t seen Lily in the magazine since she was a kitten.  Unlike Tulip, Lily is a lot to handle and won’t pose for photos the way we’d need her to for the magazine.  So, for you cat lovers, here’s the adult, “fixed” , Lily Lipinski.

 I was feeling romantic the other day and bought something that I needed like I need another hole in my head.   Take a look:

   Yup, an old fashioned, almost mint condition, portable typewriter! 

Holy smoke!  I had forgotten how labor intensive they are.  Each key stroke burns a few calories (who needs that?).  And you must really be deliberate in your stroke.   Boy, have we become spoiled by computer technology.   That said, I’m going to write a short story on it for old time’s sake!  Anyone know where to get typewriter ribbons?

Poor “New Generation” didn’t know what hit him!

Of course, I leave you with more friends and foes.    Check them out!  xoxom

Moneik’s Blog  

Babyquilter’s blog

Crowning-Touch blog

Quilted with Love blog

Abby May’s blog

Idaho Beauty’s blog

Feed Dog blog   (This is Kevin, a regular writer for Mark Lipinski’s Quilter’s Home!  I just found his blog!)

Yuck.  It’s cold and snowy on Pickle Road this morning.

  Pickle Road, 8:00AM, 2/4/08

Oh well, I’m warm in the win of the New York Giants.

 Honestly, Tom Brady is uber cute  

BUT some ”hero” he turned out to be.   Well, yuck!   Keep it in your pants, Brady!

Which, by the way, that Stephen Gostkowski is the new Raider I HEART.    

A Polish boy.  We’re all cute!  LOL 

I read a pretty good vintage book last night.  

 It’s just a digest of antique quilts, published in 1984.  These old books (my total favorites) always inspire me — if not for what’s in them, for concrete examples of how far we’ve come in the craft. 

 I had the chance to have an incredible conversation with Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin quilter, Jane McCabe.  Jane sent me the most heartfelt letter a few weeks ago, along with one of her favorite books, Quilty as Charged by Spike Gillespie.

  It’s a series of articles that cover the art, history and benefits of quilting.   I like a book where I can jump around rather than have to read it from page one until the end.  There are stories of famous quilters and not so famous quilters.   It’s a good read, but the best part is finding a new friend like Jane.   When I called her, we just — bonded.   It was like talking to an old friend rather than to a new person. 

TRY THIS TODAY:   Engage someone whom you don’t know.  Make a new friend — even if it’s over the phone.  What you sow today may reap many, many wonderful experiences and benefits and a wonderful kinship with a fellow human being tomorrow.   Post, in my comments section, who you tried to befriend today and how it turned out!

Look what showed up in my mailbox on Saturday.  I just had the time to leaf through it but I can’t wait to sit down with it.  It’s the Studio Arts Quilt Associates Journal.  I’m most interested in the article, Selling Your Artwork Online with Etsy.  I’ll read it when I take a writing break this afternoon.  

While I was shopping at Road to California, I met Sheri Bignell, an author and quilt designer.   I have one of her pattern booklets, French Country Farmhouse Collection.   I love Sheri’s White Sage quilt in the little booklet. 

  Simon & Schuster sent me a new book — well, an updated and revised version of an old book — Potatoes Not Prozac.  This book got a lot of good attention when it was first released.   You know and I know that I have totally “let myself go” and I could use a book like this that will balance my sugar sensitivity, lose weight, and stop cravings.   Maybe it’s worth a try.   Any of you read this?   Anyone tried it? 

Jennifer Chiaverini has a new book out – The Quilter’s Homecoming.   I’m not a great fan of fiction.  I like a juicy biography.   I do know that this author celebrates quite a loyal following but my hunch is there are no Sonny Corleone screwing the bridesmaid in the extra bedroom chapters, so I’m forced to pass.   This book will be a Pickle Prize so stay tuned!   By the way, I have noticed that this book actually feels good in my hands.  I don’t know why?  I’ve held a bazillion of her books — but this one feelsgood.   And if you’re a bookophile, you know just what I’m talking about. 

Speaking of books, my friend Gloria Dighton give me this book.    Hilarious, right?   And you know I’m a native Pittsburgher!   It’s written and colored by Judi Barrett and drawn by Ron Barrett in 1997.  Thought you Pickles would get a kick out of it.

Now, have you guys all received your Mark Lipinski’s Quilter’s Home subscription mailing?   If you’re not a subscriber and want to be, call … (866) 429-0133.  

Look what I won on eBay yesterday:

It’s from the day I was born.  June 15, 1957.   I have  a couple of publications dated 6/15/57.   I’d like to have them framed, eventually, for my office or studio (if it is ever organized  and weeded out enough to walk through again).

Here’s another magazine I eBay won, dated with my birth date. 

Finding these magazines are an amazingly personal and fun birthday gift.   Just search eBay with the date.  

Web “Sightings” Friends and Foes

Click this to read the Oregon Surfers.  Take a look at her Friday Five Questions about Mark Lipinski’s Quilter’s Home.

 That’s it for today, Pickles!    xoxom

Last night Jeff and I drove to Easton, Pennsylvania for a night on the town with our friends, Toby and Glen Preston (and their son Kyler), and quilt designer Mary Lowe and her husband Pete.   We’ve known them for years and we had a great time.   We ate at a hip and trendy Tapas restaurant called, Ocean on Ferry Street.  Click here to read about Ocean.

Of course Jeff got lost along the way.  The poor guy has problems with directions. 

   He has a fricking GPS that I bought him that sat on his dashboard like an unused computer monitor, but printed out Mapquest directions instead.  THEN, I wasn’t allowed to turn on the light to read the fricking things when he didn’t know where he was because he couldn’t see to drive with the lights on.    Of course, which is so usual and predictable for Mapquest, the directions were wrong (slight left onto….).   There was no slight anything.  A HARD left was it.  When we took the slight left we ended up back on the highway we just exited.  

Not one for holding opinion, I made him stop (which he did ON THE FRICKING EXIT RAMP) to program the damned GPS.  THEN we got there without a hitch.  Ugh.   

Anyway, we had a good time, laughed a lot, and let go of all the shit from the past week.  A person needs that every now and then.   We are total homebodies and rarely hit the town. 

This is Toby Preston (owner of Kindred Quilts/designer), me, and designer Mary Lowe.

  Here is Mary with Toby’s husband, Glen 

And  Toby with Mary’s husband, Pete.  

  You guys know Jeff here, with our waitress, Devin.

Meet Toby and Glen’s son Kyler (with his future girlfriend/wife [she doesn't know it yet]  sitting at the table behind him).  Oh my God!!!  MARRY A QUILTER’S SON!  Now why didn’t I think of that last night!  Shit!   Ladies, have a daughter interested in a 25-year old professional, college educated, type?  Oh, don’t worry. Your grandchildren won’t have RED eyes.  It was my camera! 

  Only half of  my Pomegranate Martini (which I gulped and then was shit-faced for half the night.  That’s why I don’t drink.  I rarely, if ever, drink alcohol. I’m a lightweight.    And you can forget about weed – I’d be psychotic.).   Click here to see a video on how to make a Pomegranete Martini. 

  How they serve their chicken wings!

My lobster Mac & Cheese.  Yummy! 

Today is SUPERBOWL Sunday.  

I’m not quite sure what a Superbowl is besides a reason to eat?   

Are there any reruns of QUILT IN A DAY or SEWING WITH NANCY on?

Eleanor Burns          Nancy Zieman  

I should root for my home team but I don’t live in New York.  I live in New Jersey.  Oddly enough, the New York Giants play in New Jersey.  

So I’m practically forced to root for, well, the stadium! 

   This Tuesday is SUPER TUESDAY — primary voting in New Jersey!   My signs are up and I’m all ready to go (although I think all of the candidates kinda’ stink for one reason or another). 

I’m much more interested in the actual election.  I’ve also come to grips with that I am not a loyal party voter.  I vote for whom I think is best (at the time,  that is, as once they’re “in” it’s anybody’s guess what will happen, and it’s usually the same old shit, as we’ve seen over and over and over again — Kinda like getting a new boss where you work.  They all start out hopeful but are droaning the ‘party line’ to save their own ass before you even learn their full name.  LOL ).

Web “Sightings”  Friend or Foe

Take a look at these blogs where either Mark Lipinski’s Quilter’s Home or Mark Lipinski were mentioned.  Just click on the names and you’re there! 

Check out Patty Skypants blog for January 31.  She even has a message to the Pickles!  Click here to read it!

Until tomorrow, my pebbles!  xoxom

Jeff and I went to our friend, Toby Preston’s, house the other night for a glass of wine and to show her our complete new fabric line, CALIFON, for Mark Lipinski Home for Northcott.    Toby owns my home shop, Kindred Quilts.

   While we were there, Toby showed us the current issue of craftrends magazine that featured Woodstock, NY Pickles, Bob Silverman and Jim Helms, and their shop Woodstock Quilt Supply as well as an article of marketing outside of the quilting box.  

Now here’s a weird bit o’trivia.     When I was the Exec in charge of the Sally Jesse Raphael show, I got to know Sally’s assistant, Keith.  As it turned out, Keith and Jim were old friends, long before I met Jim.  Small world, eh? 

The embellished Katmandu in the photo was made by a Pickle whose name I can’t remember as I write this!!! I believe she is in Alaska?   Help me out here, Pickles!  I’ll post her name later.   I’d look except all of the Katmandu projects have been included in a Katmandu Trunk Show at Pearl Louise Krush’s, Thimble Cottage Quilt Shop in Rapid City, South Dakota.   Jeff made the clock and it sits in our living room!  

This is Bob and Jim’s shop.  Fabulous, no?  It’s a beautiful 1800’s building.  Just like Pickle Road! 

In the article, they discussed marketing Katmandu.    You can read the entire article by purchasing the magazine -  you can ask the guys at Woodstock Quilt Supply to order copies for you.  If you’re not into the magazine, then at least check out their website.  It’s terrific.  www.quiltstock.com  (get it?  like Woodstock?).  

These guys are really amazing and I hope you get the chance to meet them one day. 

Web “Sightings” Friends and Foes.  

Take a look at these blogs where either Mark Lipinski’s Quilter’s Home or Mark Lipinski were mentioned.  Just click on the names and you’re there! 

Calico Cats

 The Modern Diary

Life is a Patchwork Quilt

I’m nuts-o writing and  finishing up the next issue today.   But before I get started and squeeze my fatazz into a pair of jeans (with seams screaming for mercy)      

                                             I wanted to tell you that I had an amazing talk with some Moda designers and with designer Tina Givens (Westminster Fabrics) yesterday.  I tried to call Gail Kessler, the amazing fabric designer from Andover but she was out of the office and not in her shop.  I hear she’s having a huge sale at her shop Ladyfingers Sewing Studio in Oley, PA this weekend.  Call them for details – but her shop rocks, too! 

 Also, I’ve been watching Celebrity Apprentice.  Would somebody PULLLLEEEEESE feed Marilu Henner?  

Love you, Parrots!   xoxom