Colorful Quilting Project

I decided I wanted to do something fun for me, quilting wise (what else!).  I would like to see all of my RoseCards made up in Kaffe Fassett collective fabrics.  With what I have in stock, stash, Grandma Pam's (I might be assuming too much here, but isn't that what kids do?), and a little online and in-store shopping, I think I just might be able to do this.  What good is having a stash of fabric, if I don't start using it?  Plus it would make a killer trunk show.

40 quilts for the 40 patterns--nothing to it.  And I have a jump start--2 already are on covers, and I have the models.  I have bits of Kaffe's Collections stashed all over the workroom.  I have the feeling I will find more as I poke around and do some cleaning.  The first one is already picked out and started for LOVERS LANE--what fun!

To review what I already have done--

2 down...38 to go!

Market Highlights

We're barely back from the Houston marathon.  Wholesale Market was fabulous.  The Rosecards are well received and shops are sharing how they are using them.  We saw our favorite designers and their fabulous new fabric lines--and ordered, of course.

I was joined by daughters Leann and Jessica.  Leann for the first couple days, and Jessica for the whole 2 shows.  How great it was having them with me--my yin and yang girls.  Polar opposites in looks and nature, they are best friends.  Market goers will remember them.

Before Leann had to leave on Sunday, the two dashed around the show, checking exhibits and making friends. 

Here they are with Amy Butler--Amy and the Rosettes......

4 Shows, 10 RoseCards

4 Shows and 10 RoseCards since I last posted.  Fall is the best season, but busiest for us.

They have all gone to press by today, thanks to my editor and sample makers--the chief cook and bottle washer here at the Villa Rosa.  Now to cut and pack for Texas--Houston Market and Festival via Austin. 

Two Places at Once

Yes, it can be done--with a little help from my friends.  Last weekend it was shows in Los Banos and Sonora.  The ever-enthusiastic group in Los Banos found me booth coverage from Jeanette Lopes, longarm quilter supreme.  The members unloaded and loaded my goods and helped sell to each other.  Gotta love them.   This small but mighty group is producing a lovely show every year.  Fun for me to see fabrics I sold them last year in quilts this year.  My favorite, though many to chose from, is by Darla Fagundes.  She used a lot of fabric from my stock and chose contrast fabrics with some great advice from Judy West.

Florentine 3

Gorgeous golden fabric from Robert Kaufman designer Peggy Toole.  Three colorways to mix and match--neutral Pewter,  radiant Jewel, and rich Earth.  The yardage is listed and fat quarter bundles will be ready soon.  Now, what to make...something old or something new.  I am madly working on the Fall RoseCard releases, and these fabrics would make a glittering cover.

Nearly PERFECT MOMENT

I love to cut my complete lines of fabric into Sample Slices 5"x 9 1/2".  Rectangles are such a great shape and this size shows off so much more of the fabric than 5" charm squares. 

Amy Butler's Soul Blossoms is 33 pieces.  I figured that 2 sets should be good for one of the Slice and Spacer patterns--PRISTINE or PERFECT MOMENT--11 slices wide by 6 tall.  I liked the light spacers of PRISTINE with Amy's Midwest Modern, so I grabbed a light fabric.  Heather Bailey's Nicey Jane print was perfect.  I didn't want it to be too dominant or make the quilt too wide, so I cut the spacers down to 1 1/2".  The quilt needed to be longer, so I added the 2 1/2" row spacers of PERFECT MOMENT.  I loved a green stripe from Nicey Jane, so I blasted away and added it to half of the rows.  WRONG! [interject buzzer here].  Found a good show, and ripped it off.  Went back with the more of the light.  The airiness and modern look is what I was after--whew.  I really better get a design wall up.


The darker row sashing would probably have been fine if the spacers were also darker, as it all is on the cover of PERFECT MOMENT.

This may be a new card someday--it would work well with a Layer Cake.

Meanwhile, here are the specs for this one.  Fabric for the Spacers and Row Sashing--1 1/2 yd.  Cut the Spacers 1 1/2" wide.  To offset the blocks, cut 2 3/4" off the right end of the odd rows, 2 3/4" off the left end of the even rows.  Sashing is cut 2 1/2" just like the pattern.  The top finishes 58"x 63".

New Tribute Star

I am busy working on the next 10 RoseCards for Fall Market release.  One design is a larger version of SILVER STAR--the throw size we have been making for years with 8 Fat Quarters.

Naturally, I had to try it with the Tribute line from Pat Sloan.  It will make a perfect quilt for donating to your favorite Armed Forces group.  We have used it many times over for young people's gifts as well--great in any theme prints or colors...and flannel, too.

The kit is listed in the Quilts of Valor--pricing based on $6/yd.  A draft of the pattern will be included, as well.  It finishes 56"x 70", using 8 fat quarters, 1 1/4 yd background, 3/4 yd border, and 5/8 yd binding.

While working, I listen to a lot of NPR and books on tape.  Today there was in interview with a publisher of Smith Magazine.  They feature "Six Word Memoirs", soliciting contributions through their website.  Labor Day, today, ended a contest with Work themed phrases.  My favorite--"What Matters is What We Do".