In Trouble Again

I decided it was time to start blogging again. And I'm beginning with a confession. My sewing room is a mess again. Here's why:
1. I traveled to lots of quilt shows and shops this summer. Everywhere I went I bought a little something. But I've been too busy to really unpack it all so the purchases are still in their bags, in my sewing room.
2. I'm traveling to Norman, OK next week to work with the quilt guild there. But because I got such a good deal on airfare and am not driving, I am limited in what I can take. Therefore I have put together a power point presentation for my lecture to take the place of the trunk show. That meant that I had to photograph lots of things...dig them out of their hiding places, photograph them, then try to put them back where they came from. Not always successful in doing so.
3. I'm in the midst of MANY projects, each one requiring different materials. Many piles.
4. We've reacquired two quilt racks (that my husband made many years ago for our mothers). I already have one of my own...where to go with the extra two? One of them is in the middle of my sewing room.
5. I'm writing several different articles for the Quilting Quarterly and using books from my personal quilting library as references. Not necessarily put back where they belong.

I just need a few more hours in the day...anyone have some to spare???

It Was a Winner!

Were you able to make it to the NQA show in Columbus earlier this month? If so, perhaps you saw my challenge quilt hanging with the other little quilts in the "Little Quilt Auction" display. There were 8 of us who took part in the challenge and NQA members had a chance to vote for their favorite challenge quilt. I am happy to report that MY little quilt came in 2nd! What fun to see it hanging there, sporting a ribbon!
When the quilts were auctioned off Friday evening, the 8 quilts brought in over $1000 for the NQA grant program. I don't remember who bid on my quilt, but I'm hoping that it went to a good home!

Going Again!

I'm still unpacking from my time in Oklahoma and my trip to the Marshall Quilt Show. But tomorrow I'm off again! It's time for Quilt Camp. I'm looking forward to 4 days dedicated to sewing--no cooking, no cleaning, no interruptions! I'm expecting to get LOTS done.
I've been cutting and organizing projects all week, and will have many bags and boxes to take with me. The car will not be as packed as it was two weeks ago, however. (See attached photo)
I DID fit everything in, but there was no extra room! All the practice of packing my daughters off to college in a Honda Civic wagon has come in very handy! :)
More about Camp when I return...

Home, But Not for Long!

I arrived back in Michigan late Tuesday night. When I got on the plane in Oklahoma City, it was 85 degrees and partly sunny. When I got off the plane in Detroit, it was 34 degrees and sleeting. Quite a change in a little over 2 hours! After being in balmy weather for 3 weeks, I'm having a hard time adjusting!
Since arriving home, I've been hard at work, preparing for this weekend. (My husband kept the house looking pretty good while I was gone, so I'm not concerning myself with that right now.) Tomorrow I head for Marshall, MI. It is time for their Spring quilt show, and I am the featured speaker. I'll be talking about Scrap Quilts on Saturday afternoon and Historical Trends in Quilting on Sunday afternoon. I'll also have a booth in the vendor mall, selling my patterns and book.
I've gathered together all the things I need to take along, and I really think I'm in trouble. I have so many quilts that I want to show for each lecture--I've filled 12 BIG tote bags (the large plastic zip ones that one can find at the dollar store). Add that to the things I need to set up my booth. I'm going to have to get creative to fit it all in our Focus wagon! Wish me luck!
Just a reminder: The quilt show is at the Marshall Middle School (100 E. Green St) Hours: Saturday from 9-4 and Sunday from 10-4 $5 entry fee.
Hope to see you there!

Time to Blog

No time to blog lately...My head has really been into the two talks I'll be giving in less than a month and I have been preparing for the trip I'm taking later today. I'll be spending 3 weeks in Oklahoma, being Grammy. Our new grandson is due any day, so I'll be helping our daughter with him, plus keeping our 2-year-old granddaughter occupied and (hopefully) happy. It will be interesting to see her reaction to the new family member!
I have several quilting projects packed and I have sent out a few e-mails to quilters in the Norman, OK area. I hope to have time to do some quilt-related things while I am there. And I hope to have the time to blog about them. We will see...

Sneezing!

In preparing for 2 trunk shows that I'm giving the end of March**, I've been pulling out all my old quilts and quilt tops. I have them spread all over the living room so that I can study them and allow them to "talk" to me. It is so much fun to look at them and study them. Fun to imagine the ladies who worked on them, too.
But, I'm finding that I'm sneezing a lot and my nose won't stop dripping! Guess there's lots of dust (and who knows what other allergens?) in these wonderful pieces. Doesn't stop me from smiling as I work with them, though. I just keep the box of tissues handy!
**Come see and hear me at "Stitches In Time"--the community quilt show in Marshall, MI on March 26 and 27. For complete info, visit www.marshallmi.org.

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?

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". :)