New Books

I love books, especially books related to quilting. The Marie Webster Quilt Guild always has a used book sale at the Celebration, and I can't stay away from that. I came home with at least a dozen new-to-me books, for not a lot of money!
Speaking of "new"books, did you know that Earlene Fowler has started writing about Benni Harper again? Her latest is State Fair. And Jennifer Chaverini's latest book is The Aloha Quilt. The vendor next to me at the Celebration had every quilt fiction book every published, I think, so over the 3 days I had a chance to really check them out!
Did you love to play with paper dolls as much as I did? I was always designing new outfits for mine. When I saw the latest book from Brandywine Design titled Dolly Days, I had to bring it home! The book looks like so much fun! I'll get to "play" again, this time incorporating quilting.
Are there any books you'd recommend?

Signed, Sealed and Delivered!

My goal last week was to finish my niece's quilt and get it in the mail to her. It only took me a day or two to finish the binding, make the label and sew it on. While doing that, I thought about what I would write in the note that I planned to tuck in the box with the quilt. I wanted to explain to her why I chose that particular pattern (Country Roads) for her and the significance of the colors used (things she might see as she bicycled along country roads...).
My niece called me last night--she'd received the quilt and was thrilled! Even though it was hot where she lives, she planned to sleep under it right away! It's reactions like that that make quilt making such a rewarding pastime! Don't you agree??? :)

QHF Celebration

A week ago I was getting ready to open my booth for the second day of the QHF Celebration. It had been a bit of a challenge to set up, but I like the way it came together. My only regret was that I didn't have room to put out all my quilt samples.
The wonderful ladies of the Marie Webster Quilt Guild work very hard every year to pull everything together for the Celebration event. They hang quilts for display, they hire teachers and lecturers, they plan the vendor mall, they secure the venues, they plan a volunteer banquet, etc. I'm sure they were disappointed with the small turnout this year. There was much discussion about it--due to the economy, to the hot weather, to quilters going elsewhere, to lesser known teachers and speakers???? Who knows?
A small crowd meant more free time for the vendors. We did some networking, but most of us had stitching projects along to work on. It was fun to walk around and see what everyone was doing--from embroidery to hand quilting. I was able to complete some small applique projects and make some progress on a hand-pieced quilt top.
I thoroughly enjoyed talking with the quilters who did come to shop. It was great to see old friends and make new acquaintances. I had a lot of nice comments re my patterns and book. The sample quilt most commented on was my mini yo-yo quilt (never fails!). And one lady wanted to vote for my Ruby Blooms quilt as the best of show! :) Fun!
I'm sure the ladies of the quilt guild are already planning for next year. Eleanor Burns will be back and the inductees will be the Jameses, who were very instrumental in starting the quilt museum in Lincoln, Nebraska. See YOU there???

Getting Ready

I'm getting ready to head to Marion, IN tomorrow morning. I'll have a booth at the vendor mall during the Quilters' Hall of Fame Celebration, Thursday thru Saturday. I'm hoping to spread the word about my book and sell some of my patterns.
It is a lot of work to get ready for the booth! I've been working at it for the past couple of weeks--making lists of what I need to take for my display, increasing my inventory, making up a few scrappy items to sell, etc. The hardest work will come later today, though, as I load everything into the car! When I arrive tomorrow and find out my booth location, I then have to unload everything and get creative in the setting-up. I have some ideas in my head, but will they work once I see my space? The three hours we're allowed for set-up goes by quickly!
Some people travel from quilt show to quilt show to sell their products. They must have a "system" worked out so that the packing and unpacking becomes routine. I plan to talk to some of them to find out their secrets! What a great opportunity to network with other quilters, both the vendors and the quilters who "shop".
To learn more about the Celebration and what all is taking place in Marion this week, go to www.quiltershalloffame.net and look under "Celebration 2010". Hope to see you there--stop by my booth, "Got Scraps?", and say "HI". :)

Catching Up

It's amazing how much "catching-up" there is to do after being away from home for a month! Lots of weeds to pull in the yard, lots of flowers to prune, lots of spider webs to clear in the house (not to mention the dust!). I've also been catching up on sleep and getting back in touch with friends.
I'm trying to clean the house a little at a time--since it's not my favorite thing to do, I take a break from sewing to clean a bathroom or sweep the kitchen. :) Sewing is much more rewarding...at least the end results last a long time, unlike cleaning. Sometimes all it takes is 5 minutes for someone to mess up what you've just spent a 1/2 hour cleaning!
Speaking of cleaning house, please go to my website: http://carolsscrapquilts.webs.com. All my patterns are on sale thru Labor Day. Check it out!

"Home"

I had such grand hopes of getting lots of sewing done while away for the month of June! But Grammy duties definitely got in the way of that! Plus, I was using my daughter's sewing space and her sewing machine. It just didn't feel like "Home".
After new baby had been home a while, I was able to get away for a few days and go to visit my mom and dad in Wisconsin. I took several sewing projects along with me. Since it was going to be MUCH quieter there, I knew I'd be able to accomplish a few things.
What fun it was to sit down at the 1950-era Singer sewing machine on which I learned to sew. It still runs and sews beautifully. And I LOVE the knee pedal! I felt right at home there. My wall quilt project went together in no time and I had fun reminiscing about the other things I'd made on that machine.
It definitely feels good to be back in my own home, though--sewing whenever I want to, in my own space, and using my own equipment! Nothing like it! I'm sure you will agree.