I finished a couple of pieces for the holiday season.  Both are cotton backgrounds with wool applique.  I really enjoy working with wool:  it's very forgiving, portable, and gives such a rich look to the piece.

I finished this as a pillow. 

I finished this as a wall hanging.  I decided to quilt it with the big stitch and Valdani thread.  It was very relaxing to quilt since the stitch size didn't really matter.

I am presenting a trunk show at Pieces and Patches in Rogers this Monday, June 4.  If you're local, stop by. 

Day 2 is over

OK....I expect we've now walked about 50 miles through the convention center. Today was our "get down to serious business" day. We placed orders for lots of fabric arriving everywhere from immediately to October. I have to admit that we had to search out the kind of fabric we like. The market is still very saturated with bright, contemporary fabrics. Don't get me wrong - we like them but they're just not us. Lots of booths like this

with this

and this

We were looking for booths that were more like these.

I am leaving tomorrow morning. Have to get home and start working on projects because I am SUPER inspired. Plus I miss seeing the five babies at the lake.

For those who are reading this in lieu of the Sew Graceful Quilting blog, we will be back Thursday with our regular newsletter. Also, hope to see you Saturday at the After Market Party!

Day 1 is over

Day 1 of spring quilt market is over. It was a long day of walking and visiting friends we've seen for many markets. We found some new to us designers and think you will be pleased with what we bought.

Our friend, Jo Ann Mullaly, signed copies of her new book "Folk Branches". If you want to be sure to get a signed copy, please call Darlene (479-372-7403) or email sewgracefulquilting@yahoo.com before Sunday morning so we can be sure we are bringing enough back.

 

We ordered Blackbird Designs' new book which will be out in June (that's just a few weeks away!). Here's a photo of their booth with some of the projects from the book.

 

Of course, we always enjoy visiting with Jan Patek and visiting her booth. It's always full of inspiration.

Here's photos of a couple of quilts with some of our favorite fabrics. Hint.....we have it on order and have a plan using it that will knock your socks off.

Tomorrow we meet with several fabric reps to finalize our fabric orders. We had our high level staff meeting this evening and have our ducks all in a row for tomorrow.

It was late in the day and we stopped for a bit of silliness. Doesn't Darlene look smashing modeling the Dr Suess hat?

 

Quick update

We just returned from our Sample Spree buying frenzy. Oh my gosh! Imagine 1000 plus ladies (and a few bewildered looking men who obviously are along just to carry bags) crowded into a room about half the size of a gymnasium. Then imagine the room filled with tables of fabric bundles, patterns, books, ribbons, buttons - just about everything a fabric lover would adore. Then imagine what a madhouse it is when the starting whistle blows. Pandemonium, to say the least.

We picked up some things we think you will fall in love with. We will have them all at our after market party next Saturday.

The quilt market officially opens tomorrow morning but we got a few preview pics to share. The last photo shows my Wild Coxcomb quilt that is in the current issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine.

 

 

It's after 10:00 and way past my bedtime. I'd better get some rest because I have a feeling I'll be walking about 10 miles tomorrow.

 

Ornaments are finished!

The ornaments are finished, sewn on the quilt, and the quilt is in Colorado being photographed.  Whew!  It'll be shippped back to me just in time to take a ride to Kansas City next week for spring quilt market. 

Back to binding a couple of quilts that will also take a ride north next week.  Hope you have a good weekend!

That's me in the summer issue!

I'm very honored to have a quilt in the summer issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine.

I'm on page 56.

If you'd like the magazine and/or a kit, you can get one here.  I'm making lots of gingerbread ornaments today but will be back later this week to visit.