I'm Home

Today's best....I'm home.

A Sewing Basket

On the way to Austin this week, I stopped at a couple quilt shops.  Just north of Austin, I discovered a hidden treasure in plain sight---A Sewing Basket--in Salado TX--at 560 N. Main St.  One entrance is on the east frontage road--easy to see and get to. 

Walk inside, and it's just full of wonderful displays and fabric collections.  Owner Betty has kits and fat quarter packs all around to temp you.  As a traveler, I love having packs to buy.  I don't have to know exactly what I am going to make.  I simply like to pick up something I don't have or haven't seen--all to remind me of my visit.

The shop specializes in Cowboy fabric.  If you need cowboy themed fabric or kits--this is your source.  They also do a lot of shows--another chance to catch some goodies. This quilt is a Block of the Month program, Texas style.

Wednesday's best....shop hopping to A Sewing Basket.  And the first trip to Torchy's Tacos.

Market...WOW

Great BEFORE picture, isn't it?

Where do I begin?  Market was amazing.  The RoseCards were so well received--beyond my best hopes!  I got orders, I got compliments, I got encouragement to keep going--that this was a great idea.

Lisa G's patterns were a hit.  She connected up with fabric companies and designers to do work for them.  She even designed a pattern on the spot for Shari of Riley Blake fabrics.

Much to catch up on--I'll try to fill in some of the highlights as I can find photos and remember all that we did.

We had a great time with Evan's family.  Lisa fit right in.  I got to watch the kids on Monday while Evan and Michelle celebrated M's birthday with an shopping day and lunch date.  They loved it and so did I.  I hadn't been able to see the kids much after our Market day was over.

Today's best....filling orders from Market.

Lovers Lane

RoseCard number two--the beta name, at any rate.  The first printings are coming in.  I chose this title because the chain of tan squares is often called a path, or in my case a lane.  It's a stretch, but it will do.  The rose is red and the cover quilt is a holly group from Martha Negley, Westminster Fibers.  It uses a 3 One Yard Pack and it is just a simple Four Patch and Plain squares.  This quilt is the only quilt top I have sewn in weeks.

On my way home from Turlock, I stopped by Lisa's of Lisa G Creations to pick up her quilt models.  She is my Market buddy and fellow pattern designer.  She has some fab new samples for Market.

Today's best....adding to the Market excitement with Lisa's new quilts.

Where It Begins

EDEN ROSE--The First RoseCard of my new postcard pattern line.  I got the test run of the first pattern today, and I am thrilled to say they printed up beautiful.  This will be the beginning of a whole series of quick quilt designs--pretty little collectible patterns at a great price--$2.  What else can you get at a quilt shop for $2?  The designs will be some of our old favorites and many new.  The card fronts feature some of my favorite things--quilts, roses, vintage fabric, and color.  I can't wait to show them off at Market next week in Minneapolis.

Wildflowers at Home

April showers did their magic.  We have fields of wildflowers, mostly purple, everywhere.  So when I take a break from the last minute pattern writing before Quilt Market in 2 weeks, I walk about.  The beauty of this Spring has to be enjoyed--and we do.
Love the two-fer...that one vining all over the other.  And then, because we don't have enough purple wildflowers, Gardener added the rhododendrons.

Today's best....the wildflower walks.

Wildflower Run

Another month on the run, with no time left to write.  Much to write about though--I see so many things on my travels to the middle of the country.

The best part of this Spring trip was the wildflowers.  Everywhere from California to Tennessee to Texas.   Tennessee's trees were also in bloom--spectacular.  Wish I had photos, but I was driving too fast and I am sure the photos would not do justice.

I love seeing different parts of our country.  It amazes me how each state has such a different look and personality.  The accents of the people are fascinating, too, since of course, here in California we don't, like, have one.

The trip to speak to the Ladies of the Lake in Lakeport CA was great fun.  And 2 days later I was off to Chicago, another great gig at Quilt Festival.  The drive was a bit rough, starting with dodging snow in the Sierras, just to get out of California.  At the end of the drive, though, was my little rainbow--a parking spot right next to my booth for unloading.  Usually I'm carting from many, many yards away, load after load, sometimes in rain--so this was a welcome treat.  And yes, that is my car, under the Wyoming slush. 

 

 Today's best....a whole day at home with no driving--great to be here,  even though is it raining.