March 28, 2009 at 8:16 pm (1)
Hey Kids!
You can find me at – Mark Lipinski - once you join Facebook! There is also a Quilter’s Home magazine FAN SITE on Facebook. Just type in Quilter’s Home once you join. Beware, it’s addictive!
That’s right! You can Tweet me on Twitter! I’m here: Mark Lipinski!
Both Facebook and Twitter are free! So join the fun. You won’t believe who and what you’ll find there! xoxom
March 22, 2009 at 4:53 pm (1)
I’ll be giving a couple of trunk shows and classes in the Toronto area this week so come on by!
On Tuesday, I’ll be lecturing at Country Concessions
On Wednesday, I’ll be giving a Throw Me A Curve Class at Country Concessions (just one or two spots left)
On Wednesday night I’ll be lecturing for Patti Carey’s guild, Region of York Quilters Guild.
And teaching Simple Simon at the guild on Thursday (I think it’s sold out).
You know, after The Quilt Patch in Moosejaw and Lori’s Country Cottage in Edmonton, I LOVE ME A CANADIAN!
Stop by and say hello! xoxom
March 20, 2009 at 3:09 pm (1)
OK, so here’s the deal. Wherever I go, after hand shakes and hugs and autographs, I’m asked what kind of cologne I’m wearing. Now, here’s my scent secret. First I use this body moisturizer that I buy at Bath & Body Works, that I put on after I shower. It’s called Energy, from their Aromatherapy line. I love, love, love it, and as you can see. It was just on sale. I bought 4 bottles the other day.
As for cologne, I use Dunhill. It’s the bomb. Very nice and I always, ALWAYS, get comments on it. I just bought a new bottle for myself and, gave Evan what was left of my older bottle so that he can be Mac Daddy, Jr. The combination of the two scents gives me my signature scent.
Now, turnips, if I’ve had an onion bagel and a cup of coffee before we meet, all bets are off at how alluring my cologne mixture will be! 
I found the following product description for a new crock-pot on AOL last week. Once again mixing the word “quilt” with “grandma” as if there is no other kind of quilt but an old one, a family quilt, or a ‘grandma’ quilt. Will the stereotype ever be broken?
What’s Changed:The venerable crock pot, long a staple of the American kitchen, is trying to become the ultimate multi-tasker for the contemporary two-income family that wants to eat healthy. Crock-Pot’s owner, Jarden Consumer Solutions, wants the slow cooker to become a “trophy” product that people want to give as gifts and buy for themselves. So new cookers will come in bright colors — no more cream and burgundy — and will feature updated packaging that evokes savory root vegetables rather than grandma’s quilt. (Ohhh no they di-ent!)
I went for a walk with my buddy, Toby Preston of Kindred Quilts (Clinton, NJ) the other day and we stopped at the local Clinton pet shop, Fur Majesty. Apparently, each week, they take in a new, adoptable puppy. Look at this one! How fricking cute. You know, it’s hard for me to pass up bringing home a puppy — any puppy. Used to be that way with men but that was many, many waist sizes ago! 
Here’s Toby with the pup. Cute, huh?
I love the little widow’s peak on his forehead!
The shop owner took me by the hand to show me the new T-shirts they are selling with the message SPAY AND NEUTER. While the graphics are hysterical, it’s an important message. Tulip is fixed and Petunia is about to be spayed, too. It’s the best thing for everyone!
There is a woman’s cut (about $35) and a heavier men’s cut (about $39). I love them. If you’re interested in buying one of these T-shirts, give the shop a call at (908) 730-7977.
While I was at Toby’s shop, she turned me on to some new threads, Invisifil, that she’s been raving about so, of course, I bought an assortment (which I needed like I needed another hole in my head — or rip in my jeans). They cost about $3 a spool. Toby uses them for Sharon Schamber’s machine appliqueing technique. I have to admit, Toby’s machine applique work and these treads look great. Now, you know I probably won’t do a thing with these threads, but daddy HAD TO have them!
I visited Quilt Fest New Jersey a few weeks ago. My krakow line was selling! Here it is in a booth and here are the vendors who were selling it!
I found this doll in another booth and had to have her. You know what a ‘ho I am for Indian crafts and design.
This photo does these wools no justice, but I had to have them for a rug hooking project I’ve been working on (for 4 years or more LOL). Believe it or not, they are skin-tone. The camera didn’t pick up the true colors as they are HUMAN skin-tone, not SWAMP THING skin-tone!
Jeff and I took a day to run around Princeton, New Jersey. It’s really not very far from us so we took advantage of a warmer, non-rainy day.
Princeton is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon. It’s a beautiful and historical town (as you can see in the pics) with tons of great restaurants and fun high-end places to shop. The kitchen shop is phenomenal as is the toy store. We bought Evan an crepe making machine for his birthday (he wants to be a chef – but so far, no crepes)! The bookstore is also a place where book lovers can wander for hours. Of course I left with an armful of books. There is a great bead store and a fabulous cupcake shop.
Honestly, isn’t it the cutest town?
Jeff HAD to visit his favorite store, Simon Pearce, where he picked up a piece of crystal (so not my thing).
Jeff took home the larger of the two bowls. I have no idea what he plans to put in it? Cheese curls? LOL
The barber shop was adorable. Like stepping back in time!
There was a time that I thought that Birkenstocks looked like Flintstone shoes. That is, until I bought my first pair. I’m a Birkenstock convert and I love mine (they last forever, too).
Believe it or not, these colorful sandals are Berks! LOVE THEM!
These suckahs ARE NOT Birkenstock but I saw them in a window and snapped a pic. They are fierce, but what kind of S&M broad would actually wear these?
I’m just about sure that Jeff and I are buying a ginormous quilt block themed hand hooked hall runner for our center hall form Amy Karyn. What a beautiful store. Fabulous help. Great stuff. If you’re in Princeton, check it out.
In the window were these cute “patchwork” eggs. I don’t think they were for sale, but more of a display. The thing is that I’ve been making these kinds of “Easter” eggs for years (although they look great in a grapevine bowl all year round). I’m going to do a blog class on how to make these eggs in a few weeks. Keep coming back!
I am a slut for paper products — stationary, binders, greeting cards, blank books — you name it. This shop had me pulling out my credit cards! Shit.
Now, here’s the weird thing: It’s MARCH! At least 50% of Princeton still had Christmas decorations in their windows. The Papery was one of those shops, but it was so pretty that I snapped a photo.
The other weird thing about upscale Princeton is that it is clearly the FASHION DON’T capitol of the world.* I couldn’t get pictures of the over-abundance of weird or just plain butt-ugly fashion combos without getting jumped, but take my word for it.
*Author and Princetonite, Meg Cox, is the queen of tasteful fashion. She must be a Princeton transplant because she ALWAYS looks very well put together!
Welcome to my new passion. It’s ratting out . . .
I remembered that there used to be a quilt shop in Princeton. I had heard that it was going under years ago. When I visited at that time, it was half fabric and half knitting. I dragged poor Jeff from one side of town to the other (you know how that is — if there is a craft/fiber shop within 100-miles then walking isn’t a problem) to find this joint. And why not? Daddy had money to burn!
When I saw the awning, I hyperventilated. I could feel the cash in my pocket start to dance. Even better, not only was it a knitting shop (sadly knitting is so jumping the shark) but it was also a needlepoint shop! You may not know this, but I used to PAINT needlepoint canvases for shops when I was in college for extra cash. So I was jazzed. I love to buy needlepoint canvases (although, admittedly, they are very expensive). I also buy yarn for embellishment projects (that I never quite get around to).
When we walked into the very pretty shop, there was a lady knitting at a table. The shopkeeper was also sitting at the table. They weren’t talking with each other. Just doing their own thing.
We walked in and smiled. The shopkeeper look right through us then turned her head. She totally ignored us. No “Hello” or “Can I help you?” or “Kiss my ass” or anything!
We walked around the shop for a few seconds looking at things and I found some very expensive but beautiful yarn skeins I wanted — but still nothing from the shopkeeper. Jeff even commented on the chilly reception and how stuffy the place felt. Look, it’s not like she or the shop was busy - no one was in there but us (gee, wonder why?). Clearly she was just ignoring us.
A few minutes later, two women walked in the door. As soon as the bell hanging on the door rang, the shopkeeper pipes up “HELLLLLLO! CAN I HELP YOU, LADIES?”
I put down the yarn (about $160-bucks worth so far) and we walked out. Buyer beware. If you shop here you’re nuts. I will never EVER go back there again.
There are so many other independant shops who are struggling or are more than willing to treat all of their customers with respect and common manners and courtesy that it is our duty as consumers to seek those shops out and support them. Dudes, this goes for quilt shops as well. If you’re not treated well by a shop owner or shop help, simply do not shop there and spread the word. They don’t deserve your cash.
That’s why I’m suggesting that if you happen to find yourself in Princeton, New Jersey SKIP a visit to PINS & NEEDLES. It’s a very pretty shop with really shitty manners. It sucks.
While I was walking through town, I snapped a few pictures of patchworky things in the windows. Loved this purse. See what you can do with some embellishment in a simple patchwork design?
I wasn’t wild about the purse, but I thought that the design was applique inspirational. Keep your eyes open for designs that would translate to applique or patchwork. It’s all around you IF you open your eyes.
How could I visit Princeton without showing you the campus. It’s breathtaking.
Believe it or not, these are DORMS!
Now, I don’t mind criticism, I’m a big boy who realizes that I push the comfort circles of some folks — and I enjoy and invite reasonable, healthy and cordial debate. I don’t expect for everyone to agree with my point of view and opinions (I’d be a little scared if you did), but I’m over the idiots who write the most vile, name-calling, inaccurate and mean spirited letters and blog posts under the dark cloak of a screen name thinking that it’s both appropriate and necessary.
So read this blog on occasional Freaky Fridays as I crown a FREAK OF THE WEEK.
Now, you may agree with me, or you may agree with the freak. You may respond to me or you may respond directly to the freak. It doesn’t matter either way. It’s all just an excerise in physics (every action creates a positive or negative reaction) but it’s time to reveal the passive/aggressive pathology of the small but “freaky” handful of ridiculous , self-righteous, and self-absorbed nasty Quiltzillas.
March 11, 2009 at 10:29 pm (1)
Here’s the link to The Chicago Tribune article about Quilter’s Home that appeared in today’s paper.
Click Here to read it
Here’s a link to designer Sue Cook’s blog (Larkspur Lane Designs) where she questions something that I have been noticing myself regarding the Quilter’s Home controversy (Sue has a beautiful featured quilt design in the issue – not in the article in question)….lots of strong opinions about the issue from people who never saw a copy of Quilter’s Home let alone saw/read the article. I think she sums it up nicely.
Click here to read Sue’s blog.
March 10, 2009 at 8:45 pm (1)
The Monica Hesse article about Quilter’s Home has been published in the Denver Post! xoxom
March 10, 2009 at 6:47 pm (1)
I just got a call from the producers from the 2008 Emmy winning show, The Colbert Report, on Comedy Central!
They needed a copy of the March issue within the hour, then called back to say they found it. I”m bracing myself for their heartless satire! xoxom
March 10, 2009 at 4:19 pm (1)
Not So Mellow Yellow!
Cupcakes, apparently the color trend and current darling of retail is electric yellow! I happened to be in my local mall, camera in hand, and then off to Princeton for a shopping spree this past weekend, only to find electric greenish yellow, everywhere!
Of course, I was DEEE-lighted because it’s one of the colors that I debut in my new OAKDALE line at Quilt Market in May. Judging from what I see in shop windows, I’m right on the money!
OK, look at the color and never mind that this dress looks like something ripped out of the lid of a coffin!
Even the home dec palette is coming up YELLOW! Here’s peeking in the door of Pottery Barn!
So, chicklets, YELLOW it is. And keeping with the spirit, here’s a pic of moi wearing yellow.
Now where did I put that damn calorie counter? xoxom
March 9, 2009 at 9:23 pm (1)
Mark Lipinski’s Quilter’s Home is listed on the homepage of America Online today. That means that everyone who is a member or who even visits AOL could see it when they log onto AOL! I’m floored and amazed at how much mainstream press this issue is getting! Of course, comments are invited to be made by AOL readers/members which is always interesting. Thank you, Linda Hahn, for alerting me to this!
Here’s what it looked like.
The good news is that this issue is sold out. 100% gone from CK Media! Not a copy left.
The bad news is that this issue is sold out. That means that if you’d like a copy, you’ll have to troll eBayor try your local quilt shops (sorry it’s too late for them to order a copy for you) or hit the online shops like eQuilter, or shops I know have a couple left like Kindred Quilts . Just know if you’re a collector of quilting things, this issue is already a collector’s item.
March 7, 2009 at 8:17 pm (1)
Well, what do you know? Quilter’s Home was a clue in a part of a game of trivia on the NPR (National Public Radio) show, Wait, Wait . . . Don’t Tell Me! today.
Now, however flattering that Quilter’s Home had been mentioned, I’d like to know who did their research? It was totally and factually incorrect. But it’s nice to know that this is the one and only quilting magzine that has risen to mainstream pop culture status in spite of NPR’s dropping the research ball (. . . since when should facts get in the way of a good story?).
The game was the LISTENER LIMERICK CHALLENGE. Click here for the link to the web site, then click on the Listener Limerick Challenge - you may have to download Real Player to hear it!
Chicago-land folks and beyond…a small blurb about Quilter’s Home will be showing up in the Chicago Tribune sometime this week in section 1.
March 6, 2009 at 2:24 pm (1)
Yesterday, I went from a Washington Post high to an American Idol crash!
I’m crushed that Tatiana Del Toro was booted from the show! (How’d you like to cut up that dress for an art quilt?)
OK, I know she’s a freak. I know she’s not the best singer. I know she’s overly emotional and overly dramatic. However, like a man who finds himself marrying an ax-murdering inmate from the female ward — “ but I love her.”
Now, I love Tatiana almostas much as I love naughty girl, J’amie King (who just happens to be Tatiana’s separated-at-birth twin as you can see).
I don’t think I’ll watch Idol again this season — what’s the point? It’s all become so milk-toast and bland and Daddy needs some stimulation. What were the producers thinking? I’ll tell you what I’m thinking: It’s time for new producers.
Now I’m hooked on Hell’s Kitchen! 
The Patchwork and Pacifiers podcast featuring moiand the show’s host, Jenn. Just click here to listen to the podcast. It’s a direct link.
The Quilters Hall of Fame is celebrating a Triple Anniversary in 2009!
Celebrate this historic event with us by holding a Marie Webster Birthday
Party http://quiltershalloffamebirthdayparty.blogspot.com/ or by entering
entering our 2009 Challenge ‹ “They Left Their Mark: Celebrating the
Honorees of The Quilters Hall of Fame” to hang in Marion, Indiana, July 16
thru July 19, 2009.
To participate in the Challenge, select one of the Honorees of The Quilters
Hall of Fame to salute. If this person has influenced or inspired you in
some special way, interpret this influence in a new work. The one quilt
that best exemplifies the theme of this Challenge will receive the $500
Founder¹s Purchase Award and will become a part of the permanent TQHF
education collection a very rare opportunity for someone other than an
Honoree to get a quilt in the collection. You may review a brief biography
of each Honoree at http://thequiltershalloffame.blogspot.com/ (Click the
Honoree button.)
Conditions of Entry in brief: must be made by the person entering the
challenge; must be no larger than 160² total of all four sides; shall
consist of three layers of textiles stitched together; photo and narrative
must accompany the entry; Intent to Enter Form and fee is to be received by
June 1, 2009. Visit http://thequiltershalloffame.net. Then click on Quilt
Contest – Celebration 2009 and scroll down to the bottom of that page to
find the downloadable PDF file that contains the complete form. To receive
the 2009 Challenge Entry Form by mail or the 2009 Celebration Registration
form, write to TQHF, P.O. Box 681, Marion, IN, 46952 or E-MAIL us at
quiltershalloffame.com or CALL 765-664-9333.
