Tuesday, November 9, 2010

DAY 2: Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour


Welcome to Day 2 of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour!

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Block #104
by Susan Guzman, SuzGuz Designs

When meeting new people and talking about what we do for a living, it's not a simple answer on my part.  I am often amazed at how unique my job is, when I sit and think about it.  It's not something you think about going to school for when you're young.  It seems to be a career you fall into, rather than aspire to.  I feel so fortunate to work in an industry that is so warm and friendly, and one that acknowledges talent on many different levels.

Today, I thought I would talk about what I do in the quilting industry.  I work on a few different levels.  My first responsibility is to my freelance work.  I design quilts using the latest fabric lines, manufactured by leading fabric companies.  Companies I've worked with are Quilting Treasures (see free quilt patterns I designed on their website!), Hoffman California Fabrics, RJR Fabrics, Windham Fabrics, Michael Miller, FreeSpirit, Moda, Lecien, Henry Glass, Timeless Treasures, Marcus Fabrics, and Red Rooster.  For the first time, I will be using a line of fabrics by Westminster/Rowan for an upcoming quilt, so I am always open to working with new companies.  I'm always looking for fabrics that are new and, even if they are reproductions, ones that stand out in design.

My freelance work has consisted of designing and making quilts for fabric company's booths for the International Quilt Markets, designing and making quilts for magazines, and writing and editing quilt patterns.  The second level of work I do is for my business, SuzGuz Designs.  I have a growing line of patterns that has been on hold over the past year, due to the amount of freelance work I've been doing.  However, I just came out with two new, easy quilt patterns using pre-cut fabrics, and they are available on my website beginning this week.  The first is called: "Across the Street", made using one layer cake and one jelly roll.  The second is called: "Gables and Eaves", and is also made using one layer cake and one jelly roll.  Gables and Eaves has a bonus pattern, where you can make a baby quilt from the scraps to give as a gift or donate to your local Department of Social Services.  They are always in desperate need of quilts for the children they help.

One more project that has been on hold is writing my NuzLetter, which is likened to a mini-magazine.  I write about my business, interview people in our industry, write about interior design (something I used to do for a living and thoroughly enjoyed!), share recipes and entertaining ideas, find interesting new items for gift-giving, and also have guest writers share their talents.  Our next Nuz is in the planning stages, and we hope to start it up again, soon.  You can sign up to receive a link to The Nuz by going to my website.  Simply give us your e-mail address and we'll add you to our mailing list.  In the mean time, you can go to SuzGuz Designs and read past NuzLetters we published quarterly.

Finally, I am taking classes that are helping me achieve a goal I've set for myself in bringing my business to a new and different level; still staying in the quilting industry.  I also have an idea I'm working on for a new ruler, of sorts, that I am very excited about.  It is one that will work well with a variety of different fabrics, and I hope to have more information on it, soon!

Be sure to check in every day this week for a different, related topic!  Tomorrow's topic is my design process.



Now for today's give-away...  Today, I will be giving away an issue of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Vol. 2!  This issue will be sent to you compliments of Quiltmaker Magazine.  As a matter of fact, I have 3 issues I will give away for the remaining days this week!  So beginning tomorrow, you'll not only have a chance to win a surprise give-away from SuzGuz Designs, you will also have a chance to win an issue of 100 Blocks!

It's so simple to have a chance to win!  Please post to this thread and "Friend" me on Facebook to qualify. (Note added 11.10.10 at 9:30 am, EST: If you do not use Facebook--or even if you do!--I'd love it if you'd add me to your blog read list, instead!  Thanks :)

Have a marvelous day, and I'll "see" you tomorrow!

Susan

P.S.  DoN't ForGeT!!  Quiltmaker is giving away wonderful things all day, every day this week, as well.  So check their blog throughout every day this week for some great quilt-related items!

43 comments:

Paula Z in AZ said...

I really like your blog and what a cute, cute block you've made for the Blog Tour. I'll definitely be back each day!!!

Martina said...

Thanks so much, that was very interesting to read. And thanks for the chance to win a copy of the magazine. Love your block, so cute!

Ella said...

Thank you for the chance to win this wonderful book! YOU ROCK!!!!!I'm friending you on facebook too!

Gill said...

Thank you for the giveaway!
I'm off to read your past newsletters now!
Gill

Sparky said...

great block..lovely girl with talent..that is what you are..

Peach Rainbow said...

I posted about this on FB;
http://www.facebook.com/#!/PeachRainbow/posts/164583473575595

Stacey said...

cute!!!

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

Wonderful block!

Quilted Rainbow said...

thanks for the chance to win the magazine; I loved the last issue & I'm sure this one will be great too.

Donna Joy said...

I like how you let use know how you decided what fabric to use in your block. Polka dots are amazing. Thanks for the giveaways.

~*~Leanne~*~ said...

Morning Susan, You are one busy gal! When do you find time to sleep? Please enter me in the magazine giveaway. Have a great day, Leanne

Petit Design Co. said...

your block reminds me of playing cards. I love the design

Marianne said...

Thanks for the cute block and chance to win

Vicki @ DottyJane said...

Very pretty block! Thanks for the chance to win:)

Hey ... I'm Lindsay ! said...

LOVE your block and your giveaway ... thanks for sharing your talents!

Unknown said...

Do you such great work, I'm so proud of you!

WoolenSails said...

Am enjoying your blog and love the block you made, really creative and beautiful.

Debbie

LfsAlot said...

Thanks for the opportunity to win Quiltmakers 100 Blocks 2!

Anonymous said...

I really enjoy reading about your design process - So I'll be back everyday!

Kd Brown said...

Suzanne, can I be your friend? Thank you for the great prizes! Kathleen

Pat S. said...

Wow...thanks for the chance to win a copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Issue!!!

Deb said...

Interesting block!

Pat S. said...

Oh, and I'm a FB friend, too!

GrandmaDe said...

Love your block - Congratulations!

Chris said...

I don't do facebook or have a blog. Does that leave us out? Hope not :-)

Karen said...

I love your block. I would love to win.

Kathy H said...

thanks for a chance to win this magazine. It looks great.

SewLindaAnn said...

That was really interesting to read about what you do. I just found your blog through this hop and am subscribed now and a member of your group on Facebook. I'll sign up for your Nuz. It's sounds too fantastic the companies you've worked with and how you had to put your designs on hold.

marilyn said...

Love a chance to win the magazine.
thanks

Debbie said...

Thanks for sharing your block ~ Can't wait to get the magazine.

Anna said...

thanks for a chance to win

Melissa said...

I'm excited for the chance to win this fabulous magazine.

SheilaC said...

Great give away, thank you!

SheilaC

Deb said...

Thanks for all the giveaways this week.
I'd love to be entered for the book.

Nancy said...

Added you to my list of blogs!

Marcia W. said...

Thanks for the giveaway of the QM 100 Blocks magazine. Your block is lovely. Congratulations and please enter me into the drawing.

sandilee said...

Please enter me into your giveaway

sandi812@bellsouth.net

Ariane said...

It's great to get to know you better! Thanks for sharing with us!!

Kerry said...

Love your block!!

MoeWest said...

Thanks for the interesting post.

~Laurie~ said...

Hello again!
I really would like to win this magazine - I loved the first one! Thank you for yet another chance to win :)

~Kris~ said...

Thanks for the chance to win. I enjoyed reading about you and your business goals.

Kathy Schwartz said...

Thanks for the chance to win, I found you on Facebook!