New small project

I've been pretty quiet the past few months. I've been working on projects to be submitted to magazines and can't show them yet. The magazine projects are finished, and I now have time to play.

One of the projects that caught my eye at quilt market was a cute snowman project from Primitive Gatherings. I chose the mini version which finishes 30" x 34". Sew Graceful Quilting will have kits for the project if you want to make one just like mine.

Here's the first four blocks -- quick and easy.

 

 

 

Back to playing!

 

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I survived!

Oh my goodness! I'd heard stories but nothing prepared me for Quilt Festival in Houston! I've never seen so many ladies (mostly) in one place with one mission: to enjoy quilts. Over 1000 vendor booths and dozens of beautiful quilts on display.

I helped Lynette Anderson in her booth. Here's the booth when I arrived for set up on Weds. We couldn't dawdle because preview night opened at 5:00 p.m.

We were ready in plenty of time. Even had time to run out for a quick bite.

Here's why I didn't get to visit the other booths very often.

I'm home and enjoying my own bed. :-)

 

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Quilt market day 3 - the final day

Darlene and Debby left for home early this morning. I'm staying for festival to help Lynette Anderson with her booth so I took the opportunity today to just wander the sales floor and see if there were any treasures I'd missed. I spoke with several designers and picked up a few more pieced pattern ideas.

I stopped by Bunny Hill Designs and think her new spring block of the month quilt is very cute.

The bed spread on this bed is just amazing! So many ruffles! I wouldn't make it but my hat is off to anyone who wants to make it.

Booth decorations go from large, very detailed projects.....

.....to small, quick, easy projects.

These displays were very nice.

Beautiful quilt using new Renee Nanneman fabrics.

Don't forget to join Darlene and Debby this Saturday for the after market party. They have lots to share (including a new sample). They have a very limited number of the best find of the entire market.....weekly planners. These aren't your average planners - each week you will see a different quilt. The book is very high quality and would make a very nice gift for you or a friend. If you can't make it Saturday but would like one please give a quick call to Darlene at 479-372-7403 or email at info@sewgracefulquilting.com. I imagine they'll go fast and I'm not sure we will be able to get more.

I have never been to quilt festival so am not sure what I've gotten myself into. Tomorrow is a relax day. Wednesday we will convert a single booth into a double booth. The shoppers arrive Wednesday evening at 5 for a special preview. If I'm not too pooped, I'll give you updates.

 

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Quilt market day 2

Today was our day to look at fabric with our fabric reps. Of course, we ordered some Moda. It'll be torture to wait until next year for arrival. We really liked Kim Diehl's line from Henry Glass and Judy Rothermel's 25th anniversary line. Jo Morton also has some very nice prints that would work well with what we already have.

We were very disappointed many of our favorite designers aren't at market. No Crabapple Hill, Renee Nanneman, Buttermilk Basin, Heart to Hand, Reets Rags, JoAnn Mullaly, or Hatched and Patched. We hope everything is ok with them and they will make it to the spring market in Portland. Meanwhile, we will be contacting them to look at new designs.

One thing we wanted to accomplish while we were here was to find some new pieced patterns. Yes, we will still be heavy into appliqué, but we feel its time to branch out and offer more choices for those who enjoy piecing. We found a couple patterns we think will work very well.

We will have more info at our After Market Party this Saturday about our new Buggy Barn club. We did pick up several copies of their new book.

One of the most exciting tidbits we learned today is that 3 of Yoko Saito's Books are being translated to English. The first, Scandinavian Quilts, will be available in November. We saw a preview copy and it is wonderful.

My clock says its 10:19 p.m. Yikes! Way past my bedtime. I'll be back tomorrow with more photos.

 

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Quilt market day 1

What a hectic time last night at Sample Spree. It was all worth it, though, because we got some great fat quarter bundles to show you. Generally, the only time we can buy fat quarter bundles here is during Sample Spree. Of course, not every line or every fabric manufacturer has bundles.

Moda never lets us down.

We were very fortunate to get Jo Morton bundles......they sold out in 10 minutes.

After a good breakfast (believe me, we walked that breakfast off quickly!) and armed with our rolling Tutto suitcases, show books, and comfortable walking shoes, we began our day. Since we have been here before, we know to visit the booths that are most interesting to us first. It's common for vendors to sell out quickly.

Valdani was on the list. We are bringing back some yummy new colors.

The Primitive Gatherings booth is always packed so that was a priority. We are bringing back some great new patterns by Lisa.

You just never know what you will see at market.

Yes. That is a real camper.....but not a real fire for cooking s'mores.

A visit with Alma and Barb of Blackbird Designs is always a MUST do. They have a new book coming out in December. We placed our order so should receive our shipment as soon as the ink has dried on the books. It will make a nice gift to yourself or a friend.

.......and just when we thought we'd seen it all, we ran across this.....

Just in case you are wondering......we passed on that one.

Tomorrow we have appointments to sit and look at fabric. Of course, when we see a good reproduction line we want to buy it all. It'll be a fun day!

 

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Quilt market day zero

We arrived in Houston last night after a very nice trip. We took advantage of 12 hours in the car to plan for 2013 projects. The weather was a balmy 88 degrees when we arrived, but the cold front that followed us arrived today leaving everyone shivering.

Today was School House. I remember our first market when we heard about this school house event. A fellow shop owner explained it this way "You choose what you want to take from dozens of classes, show up, listen for 15-30 minutes, and move to the next class." We wondered what happened if everyone wants to take the same class at the same time. Fortunately, that doesn't happen and everything goes smoothly.

Will this really be ready tomorrow?!

Many of the large companies ship their market goods in large wooden crates. The crates have doors that swing open to allow the workers access to the goods.

Tonight was also Sample Spree. Think of the biggest after Thanksgiving sale you can and then multiply by 100. It is total chaos as hundreds of people scurry to buy fat quarter bundles and patterns. It's become a tradition with us - we want to bring home fabric so you can see some of what we see.

Day 1 starts at 9:30 tomorrow. Be back tomorrow evening with photos!

 

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I am all set up at the quilt show

I always enjoy vending at quilt shows. This weekend I'm just down the highway at the show in Fort Smith. I had a chance to do a quick walk through and glance at the quilts. I'm excited to get to look closely tomorrow.

Here's photos of my booth. Booths without curtains are a challenge since we don't have poles. It's amazing what a tipped over tub can do, though!

Notice the block with the large flower pot? That's block 1 of a new block of the month I am creating. I'm using Barbara Brackman's "Metro Fair" line. It's a reproduction of an antique quilt I own.

 

 

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Should be a fun week

A new week with a new adventure!  The Springfield MO quilt show is this week and we are going up to vend.  I love vending at shows for several reasons:  I get to see beautiful quilts, and I get to visit with the nicest people.   

I stitched this little piece this week.  Very quick, fun, and small enough to quilt on my Bernina. 

Got over the blahs from last week.  Decided #1 - age is just a number so get over it, #2 - floaters aren't really so bad after all (I learned if you try to focus on one that it scurries away so when there's a particularly annoying one, I look at it and wha-la, it goes into hiding LOL), #3 - although my husband's vision continues to decline in his left eye, his right eye is still good and we are thankful for that.

If you're in the area and planning to go to the show in Springfield, stop by the Sew Graceful booth and say hi!

A lot happened

It's been a busy few weeks.  First, my husband had another stroke in his eye.  He had one in his left eye about 4 years ago which caused blindness in the left eye.  Fortunately (and surprisingly), he regained sight.  This stroke was in the same eye but wasn't as severe.  His vision is very blurry but we are hopeful full sight will return.  The perplexing thing is what caused this stroke.  We've done lots of reading and found they are caused by high blood pressure, low blood pressure, rheumatoid arthritis, or diabetes -- none of which pertain to him.  He had a carotid artery ultrasound to rule out blockage or placque.  So, we are kind of in limbo.

I had a birthday.....ever have one of those birthdays where you just feel old?  Well, if so, you know what I'm saying.  I felt old.  A few days later, I experienced very quick flashes of light followed by black dots and squiggles in front of my left eye.  Yep, I have floaters to contend with now. 

A friend appliqued the center portion of this top and I added the half square triangles.  Wish I could say it was lots of fun but that would be a lie.  The pattern was very poorly written (no measurements given for the center pieced part) so I referred to the pattern that was recently published in Quiltmania.  Those measurements were incorrect but I didn't know that until the center had been appliqued.  Consequently, my sashing strip had to be cut larger so the triangles would fit. As a designer, I realize errors happen that's not what really disappointed me.....the disappointment was that the designer wouldn't even have the courtesy to answer my e-mail asking for a corrected version.  Oh well, it's over.  If you're planning to make this and would like corrected measurements, I'll be happy to share. 

 

 

This cool weather is making me itch to hand applique.  How about you?  Do you find yourself wanting to applique in cooler weather?



We're not scary

I could start by saying good intentions, blah, blah, blah but you know where that's going.  So, I'll simply share a really fun piece I recently finished.  It's called "We're not Scary".  The designer, Jo Ann Mullaly, suggested attaching a piece of batting behind the muslin and then stitching.  Since I'd never tried the technique and am open to new ideas, I gave it a try.  I'd have to give the technique 2 thumbs up.  If you'd like a kit, you can get one at Sew Graceful Quilting.

Lately it seems like I am the queen of starting projects and not finishing them.  I've got three laying on my sewing table in various stages of finish.  Lists really help and I think it's time to get the list tablet out and use it.

Back and ready for cooler weather

My visit to Washington DC was wonderful.  I was a bit apprehensive about the whole public transportation thing but my apprehension was unfounded.  By the end of the week, we were pros at catching the bus to the metro.  We did a lot of walking but that was fine because I'm used to walking.  We had such a good time that my husband and I are planning a future trip. 

I don't know if you're like me but I always bring WAY more than I have time to work on.  I finished the stitching on this pin cushion.   

I also finished stitching this table runner. 

I'm working on several designs for the Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine....applique, of course! 

I'm ready for cooler weather:  the kind of weather where it's not uncomfortable to sit under a quilt while it's being bound.