All right, yes. We just did a news post a few days ago, but there’s more news…and it’s big! Plus, we’ve got a giveaway. And with the Olympics on, you know you’re watching way too much men’s beach volleyball or men’s diving, and not enough current events.
F & W Media Buys Interweave
LOVELAND, COLORADO—Interweave, the company that produces Stitch Magazine, Craft Paper Scissors Magazine and a host of sewing and fiber arts books, DVDs, online communities, e-commerce stores and more has been acquired by F & W Media , which has offices in New York, Ohio and Colorado.
More specifically, F & W has acquired Aspire Media LLC–the parent company of Interweave–from Frontenac Company, Catalyst Investors, Interweave CEO Clay Hall and other members of the Interweave team. Terms of the deal were not announced.
The news debuted on both the F &W and Interweave websites July 31 and had been tossed about in publishing industry circles, but did not start widely circulating in quilty/stitchy channels until a few days later.
F &W chairman and CEO David Nussbaum said in a public statement that Interweave mirrors F&W’s strategy of vertical communities of content, products and services for enthusiasts in the arts and crafts industry. The F & W consumer database is considered to be the largest in this industry, numbering in the millions.
Immediate changes include the departure of Clay Hall and Interweave CFO Troy Wells, as well as expansion of Interweave digital magazine and other content; e-commerce, ebook and digital pattern business; and live and online education and event business.
Look Out, New York!
NEW YORK—Quilters Take Manhattan, the second annual big-city q-bash benefitting the Quilt Alliance takes place here Sept. 15, and features iconic quiltmaker Denyse Schmidt, author Jennifer Chiaverini and Mark Lipinski, host of the web radio show, Creative Mojo with Mark Lipinski, as well as quilt displays, door prizes, book signings and general q-fun.
The event takes place in two venues. The afternoon session at the Fashion Institute of Technology includes a live Quilters’ S.O.S. – Save Our Stories (Q.S.O.S.) oral history interview with Denyse Schmidt, as well as exhibits of quilts from Denyse’s new book, Denyse Schmidt: Modern Quilts, Traditional Inspiration and a Q &A session.
Jennifer Chiaverini, known for her Elm Creek Quilts novel series, as well as five collections of quilt patterns inspired by those novels, will also present a special preview of her forthcoming novel, The Giving Quilt (October 2012), the 20th volume in the beloved Elm Creek Quilts series.
Selected house-shaped quilts from the Quilt Alliance’s “Home Is Where the Quilt Is” contest will also be displayed at FIT and the rest will be exhibited at The City Quilter quilt shop at 133 West 25th Street.
The evening event—and a very hot ticket, let’s be honest—is a cocktail party fundraiser at the NYC Garment District loft home of Victoria Findlay Wolfe. The party will “celebrate the full spectrum of quilting and quilters today,” says the Quilt Alliance, including a hands-on quilt performance and old time music that will underscore why quilts are making a big impact on culture and history like no other material culture.
Victoria Findlay Wolfe is owner of Bumble Beans Inc., founder of the quilt charity Bumble Beans Basics and co-founder of the New York City Metro Area Modern Quilt Guild.
Each event requires a separate ticket. And with a new Home Ticket, there’s even a way for those who can’t make it to New York, to tap into the fun. For more information on the program, tickets and the long roster of corporate sponsors, go to www.allianceforamericanquilts.com.
And Now For The Give-Away…
The Quilt Alliance has generously given Generation Q two pairs of totally free tickets to the Quilters Take Manhattan afternoon event at F.I.T. (valued at $45 per ticket for Alliance members and $60 for non-members). And it almost goes without saying that this giveaway is most useful for GenQ readers who live in the New York area or who are planning on traveling to this event. (Much as we’d love to fly your little stitchin’ hearts to NYC, it ain’t happening, folks.)
Here’s how to win: Comment on this post, and tell us who you think the next “quilter to take Manhattan” should be. You have until Sunday, August 12, to add your comments. We’ll pick two winners, and announce the lucky names on Monday, August 13. So start thinking!
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Gwen Marston is creative and funny. Maybe she can be enticed to NY!
I think I would LOVE to win a couple of free tickets to that!!!!! pick me!!!!!
I think Ami Simms is terrific!
My vote is for an up-and-coming quilt designer: Beth Helfter of EvaPaige Quilt Designs. She favors fuss-free, let’s-not-think-about-it-too-much, FUN quilts. She offers a fabulous trunk show (“Perfection Is Overrated!”) and has something like 20 (I’ve lost track) patterns published, and one really fun book! Watch this gal- if you don’t know about her now, you WILL!
You’re a winner, Angie! Our random number generator picked you to win one of the sets of tickets. Thanks for playing along, and we will definitely check out Beth Helfter. Please send your address to melissa@generationqmagazine.com THIS WEEK so we can get those tix out to you.
I would love to see Angela Walters recognized for her outstanding free-motion quilting. Though it is a different aspect of the quilt process from the usually-recognized, it is an art form of its own and adds tremendous depth to the art. Thanks for the chance to win – I live close enough to make this trip very do-able!
Oh wow! Pick me, I’d love to go.
I nominate Julie Herman of Jaybird Quilts.
I’m so inspired by Elizabeth Hartman and Susan Beal–maybe they’ll be next! Though a chance to see Denyse Schmidt and her quilts in person, what could be better?!
Emily, you’re our second winner for the Quilters Take Manhattan Tix Giveaway! A random number generator popped your number up, so you and a guest get to join in on the fun. Send your postal address to melissa@generationqmagazine THIS WEEK so we can pass it along and get those tix in the mail to you. Thanks for playing along! And we love your picks, too!
Although she’s not a famous quilter, Julie from the blog Distant Pickles is an awesome quilter and quilt designer! She just finished a new design called Mod Pop And I believe she is a real quilt rock star!!
Don’t pick me! Pick someone who could actually get there.
But I nominate Ann Turley to be the next “Quilter to take Manhattan”! Ann is a terrific teacher & wonderful quilt artist.