Art of Possibility Studios & Westminster Fibers Collaborate Bringing Blind Painter’s Art to Fabric

Art of Possibility® Studios , the only art brand exclusively representing physically disabled artists in a for-profit model, announced it has finalized a licensing deal with Westminster Fibers, Inc . to release a collection of fabric from blind painter George Mendoza under its FreeSpirit brand. From the joint press release:

The new 100% cotton fabric collection, which will debut in October 2009 at the International Quilt Market Show in Houston, Texas, will feature various paintings from George’s larger body of work, which has touched millions of lives through a rigorous career filled with gallery shows, personal appearances and media coverage.

“This magnificent fabric collection is sure to inspire retailers, clothing, furniture and bedding manufacturers, as well as home quilters and other designers worldwide who, through their own imagination and creativity with the fabrics, will find themselves crafting products with far more meaning,” said Joyce Robertson, General Manager, Westminster Fibers Lifestyle Fabrics. “We anticipate much interest in this line across multiple trade-based retailers, and look forward to debuting the fabric, with its amazing story of personal achievement, amid the indelibly receptive and supportive retail and sewing community later this year.”

“George’s richly colored paintings embody optimism and his expression of the boundless spirit of man’s imagination, with each work a triumph of art beyond limitation,” notes Ketra Oberlander, founder of Art of Possibility Studios – herself a blind artist whose award-winning paintings are also represented by the company. “It’s incredibly rewarding to license George’s fine art into practical applications, such as this fabric collection, which will touch and adorn so many lives around the world.”

"It’s heartening to work with manufacturers such as Westminster Fibers who validate my belief that good deeds are good business," continues Oberlander. "While George Mendoza’s fabrics will be visually stunning and worthy of much admiration, I also hope retailers - and even the end consumers - also take a moment to realize the magnitude of purchasing Art of Possibility Studios’ licensed imagery – giving disabled artists the dignity of earning a living through their creative output rather than dependence on charity and disability benefits, or stymied by logistical limitations, in our quest for self-sufficiency."

Below is a sample image from the upcoming collection.

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Reliable Adds New Features to the Home Longboard Ironing Table

The Reliable Corporation has recently released a new version of their Home Longboard Ironing Table. From Reliable’s press release:

For 2009, Reliable Corporation has improved the thickness of the regular pad by using 500g of felt padding for an easier and smoother press. Both covers are using an improved cotton-polyester cover material, and the Longboard has a set of straps that help secure the pad to the surface. As an added convenience, the new Longboard C60LB has a total height adjustment ranging from 30" – 38", making it more comfortable for a wider range of users.

You can view the specs for this update version of the Longboard Ironing Table here.

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Four New Patterns from Favorite Things

Favorite Things introduced four new pattern designs at Spring Quilt Market in Pittsburgh.

The Classic Shir t–a classic princess seam top with shirttail hem and optional gathered front panel version. Sleeves are short and have optional bell cuffs. The pattern includes a separate tie for a bow or belt.

Uptown Coat –A fitted jacket/coat features faux double-breasted design with a deep collar, empire waist and front and back pleats. There is a fat quarter version for this pattern.

The Cargo Bag –Shoulder bag can be worn compact or unzipped to expand it. The bag can be interlined if desired and has optional front pockets and bag closure. The handles can be knotted through the grommets or swivel hooks can be purchased.

Little Belle Skirts –Semi-flared, pull-on skirt with gathers beneath a wide waistband on center front and center back. Contrast band at hem. Can be worn on hips or waist, depending on the adjustment of the elastic. Skirt is made from one, two or three fabrics. An optional narrow belt with button closure ot bow velcro closure is included in the pattern.

Wholesale orders are available to shop owners through Favorite Things directly , or from any of the distributors listed below.

Product Release favorite things, new product

New Offerings from Chronicle Craft

Chronicle Craft has released several sewing and craft related titles in Spring/Summer. From their media release:

Lotta’s Simple Sewing for Baby: 24 Easy Projects for Newborns to Toddlers

Pub Date: June 1

By Lotta Jansdotter

A new mother herself, Lotta’s created 24 projects that match her simple style with practicality, resulting in sweet, yet durable, essentials for any rumble-tumble baby. She includes baby hats, bibs, a diaper bag built for the back of a stroller, a ribbon-tag blankie perfect for teething, and many more pint-sized projects.

Wallpaper Projects: More than 50 Craft and Design Ideas for Your Home, from Accents to Art

Pub Date: May 1

By Derek Fagerstrom and Lauren Smith

Wallpaper Projects showcases contemporary and vintage patterns, plus instructions for over 50 wallpaper projects ranging from quick scrap crafts (book covers) to more involved design upgrades (headboards) to big impact makeovers (walls, window shades). Design experts Derek Fagerstrom and Lauren Smith share photographs of stylish interiors, foolproof instructions, shopping resources, and ideas for designing your own wallpaper

Dorm Décor: Remake Your Space with More Than 35 Projects

Pub Date: May 1

By Theresa Gonzalez and Nicole Smith

Stylish lampshades, oversize floor pillows, cool bedding, curtains, message boards, and more add style, organization, and comfort to otherwise cramped quarters. Tons of color photos, straightforward instructions, pattern pieces, and small-space floor plans make an eye-catching face-lift simple to pull off. For dorm rooms or beyond!

Baby Bib Kit: Utterly Adorable Projects, Plus All the Tools & Techniques

Pub Date: June 1

By Jenny Hart

Make any wee one the envy of the highchair brigade. This kit contains it all: blank bibs, iron-on transfers, embroidery floss, needle, and an illustrated instructional booklet. Jenny Hart’s cool iron-on transfers can each be used several times, so moms-to-be and their friends can customize all sorts of accessories.

Also available from Jenny Hart this season: Stitchable Stationery & Sublime Stitching Journal

Iron Me On: 30 Sheets of Awesome Fabric Transfers

Pub Date: April 1

By Mike Perry

Customize blank T-shirts or any other piece of fabric into wearable art with popular artist Mike Perry’s cool hand-drawn illustrations and alphabets. Easy instructions plus more than 50 vividly colorful, ready-to-transfer iron-ons make for instantly gratifying clothing design.

Crafty Stickers

Pub Date: March 1

By Cat Head

Filled with 240 peel-and-stick labels and stickers made especially for crafters, this handy portfolio offers the perfect way to personalize homemade gifts and projects, organize around the home, or enliven any correspondence.

Information for retailers is available on the Chronicle website or by calling 415-537-4200

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Amy Butler Softwares Available Now

Amy Butler’s first CD of quilting and sewing patterns, Softwares , is now available. The CD, produced by The Electric Quilt Company contains 22 new patterns for quilts, pillows, table runners and bags, plus nine additional "bonus" patterns. Each project can be sewn as designed or customized (sample projects can be viewed here ). The Electric Quilt Company has loaded this disk with fabric from Amy’s collections (from Belle to Midwest Modern 2), so that users can design with these fabrics in mind. It can also be used in conjuction with the EQ software, to create even more design options. Softwares is available only for PCs running Windows XP or Vista, or Macs that have Windows installed using virtualization software such as Parallels. The MSRP for Softwares is $29.95.

Amy Butler softwares wholesale info:
The Electric Quilt Company
Attn: sales@electricquilt.com
419 Gould Street, Suite 2
Bowling Green, Ohio 43402
1-800-356-4219
www.electricquilt.com

RETAILERS CAN ALSO ORDER FROM THESE DISTRIBUTORS:

WESTMINSTER FIBERS:
PH: 1-866-907-3305

BREWER QUILTING & SEWING:
PH: 1-800-676-6543

CHECKER DISTRIBUTORS:
PH: 1-800-537-1060

MODA UNITED NOTIONS:
PH: 1-800-527-9447

PETERSON-ARNE:
PH: 1-800-547-2509

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