Elizabeth Townsend Gard and her kid Sidne Gard have been friends of mine for a long time now. Elizabeth and I met after a Quilt Market some years ago, and I have been honored to have stayed at their house for an event in New Orleans. Elizabeth visited my house on a separate occasion as Sidne was choosing Chicago as a possible location for their college degree. We have had some good times together.

Aside from all of that, Elizabeth is a professor of trademark and copyright law at Tulane University. I have had both the fortune and misfortune of having to reach out to her and her teams to find legal help several times over the years. From people copying my distinctive logos to weird situations regarding my sewing classes being copied, my little business has been the recipient of wise advise and helpful direction on my legal questions. When I did have to engage an attorney, I was always ready with Elizabeth’s helpful ideas.

Elizabeth has always thought that the creative community needed advice and tutorials on how to apply for trademarks, and general knowledge on what trademarks mean and what they protect. I agree! And finally, Elizabeth and Sidne have created just that manual.

Back when I launched Sew Much Cosplay®, I needed to trademark the name as part of the license agreement. Oh, how I wish this book was available at the time. It would have demystified the process! I did both a mark on the name “Sew Much Cosplay” and the logo for the brand. My trademark from the USPTO office hangs proudly in my office! The book takes you through that same process.

Be sure to grab yourself a copy of the book, which you can do so here!

Blogging has become an increasingly popular hobby in recent years, and for good reason. Not only is it a great way to express yourself and share your passions with others, but it can also have numerous benefits for both your personal and professional life.

One of the biggest benefits of blogging is the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals. Whether you’re a seasoned quilter or just starting out, a blog can be a great way to connect with other quilters and share tips, ideas, and inspiration. You can also use your blog to showcase your work and get feedback from others in the quilting community.

In addition to connecting with others, blogging can also be a great way to improve your writing skills. Writing regularly can help you develop a stronger voice and become a more effective communicator. This can be particularly beneficial for those in the creative field, as it can help you better articulate your ideas and inspirations.

Blogging can also provide opportunities for personal and professional growth. By regularly sharing your thoughts and experiences on your blog, you can develop a deeper understanding of yourself and your interests. This can lead to new opportunities and collaborations, as well as personal growth and fulfillment.

Furthermore, a well-written and informative blog can also serve as a valuable resource for others. By sharing your knowledge and expertise, you can help educate and inspire others in the quilting community. This can not only be rewarding, but it can also help establish you as a thought leader and expert in your field.

In addition to the personal and professional benefits, blogging can also be a great creative outlet. Whether you’re sharing pictures of your latest quilting project or writing about the techniques you use, a blog can be a great way to express yourself and share your passion for quilting with the world.

In conclusion, blogging can be a fantastic hobby for quilters. Not only does it provide opportunities for personal and professional growth, but it can also be a great way to connect with others and express yourself creatively. So why not start a blog today and see what benefits it can bring to your life?

Houston, we have a problem.

We threw away our Christmas tree earlier this year.

I don’t know why I did it. I had a house that could accommodate a 9 ft tree. Our new building has 15 foot ceilings. For whatever reason, in my mind, bringing the tree was not an option. So we put it out by the curb this past summer, and someone took it away.

I like to think it’s having a great Christmas with it’s new family. But this leaves me with a problem. What are we gonna do for a tree this year????

I heard a rumor that vendors who set up at quilt shows are down by some 40% after COVID. I think that may be true. Not only do I not see the familiar faces I used to see in my travels, but when I do, they are as attendees and not vendors. Some retired, some went online, and some…. well, we won’t say.

This is what my car looked like earlier this year to go to a show. It took my husband and I all day to pack the car like this. Many people rent trailers and the like. To make my booth look like the very top of this page, it takes a good 4-5 hours. And that’s after schlepping it all inside the hall.

To head out to a show for most of us, it’s a business, not a hobby. We need to make it profitable. That means sales must exceed the amount of the cost of the booth, the cost of the travel to get there, the cost of renting electricity and tables (yes, that’s a thing), and any taxes you collect to pass on. All of the product in the booth has a cost too. So to head to a show, you have to KNOW (not HOPE) to make money at it.

It can be super disheartening to get to a show and have disappointing sales. This takes even more vendors off the road.

Needless to say, we need your support when you see vendors like us at shows. We hate hearing how you can get it on Amazon, or online later, or how you aren’t planning on buying anything new this year. In order for us to come back, we need to make money at that show.

Right after we moved to Paducah, I decided to do some old fashioned marketing through a press release. I sent it to industry outlets, but also to local news here in Paducah. The newspaper asked to send a photographer and did an interview. It was a lot of fun.

The shots taken on our creepy third floor didn’t make the paper, but I thought it was awesome!

Charlie did a good job of photographing the photographer. 🙂