Packing again !!!!!!!

Jim and I are off to Duluth in a couple of days, so Stella and I spent the day packing up kits, books and lots of other stuff. As soon as we got it packed and the quilts folded a group of women came in for the first time so we unfolded all the quilts for a show and tell. It was fun as they were being exposed to reproductions for the first time! They'll be back. I went antiquing last week and picked up this rocker for Eliza to read in when she is at the store. Of course it is black, hope you can see it. I'm never sure if I can get the pictures on. Talk to you from Duluth!

Back from Market

Yes we did get back and with wonderful new things! Jim and I had a very busy Market time with classes, seminars and walking the floor. I was glad Beth was there even if it was for a short time. I was able to show her The Woolen Needle, my new favorite place to buy wool!!!! Look for it soon at The Quilt Merchant, and a wool class and club taught by Kathy Wall. She knows so much and wants to share it with us all.
Beth's mom was at market for the first time showing her pattern line, The Cotton Cottage. Her booth was darling and to top off the experience Fat Quarter Shop called with a great order. The talent in Beth's family is amazing, makes you wonder what Eliza will do.
We brought home great patterns from Carol Hopkins, Bonnie Blue, Jo Morton, Sew Unique, Pam Buda and Open Gate.
There was lots to do when we got home, Stitcher's Circle, Jo Morton Club and Applique' Club. Next on the The Quilt Merchant's trail is Duluth, MN, so I'm packing our bags again.

Schoolhouse

Most memorable thing from today was attending Terry Clothier Thompson's Schoolhouse session! Wow, I want to book her right now, she has taken her Fabricamp on the road. Now this is someone who would fit right in at The Quilt Merchant, she brings 10 or so bags of quilts, fabrics and vintage clothing to teach you how to date quilts and fabric with the time line of 1790-1945. Each participant can bring 1-2 quilts for study and appreciation. Can it get any better? This is a three day class so you will really learn a lot.

To Market to Market

We made it to Pittsburgh, it rained all the way! Wanted to take pictures along the way but it was to cloudy. I do love being in the rolling countryside again, it reminds me of New England. I wasn't in our room 5 minutes before Deb Roberts [The Quilted Moose] called to see if we where here yet.I have a seminar in the morning and then we'll meet up for Schoolhouse. We have a suite with a kitchen, Whats that all about????? Great room but cook, I don't think so. The only thing it's good for is keeping my diet coke supply cold. The floor doesn't open up until Friday, then I'll make a bee line for Jo's booth and then on over to see Paula and Mary Ellen at Bonnie Blue Quilts.

baby girl

Thought you would all like to see a picture of Eliza.

New stuff

We got word today that Jo's new book Vintage Journey will be here any day!!!!!! When we thought we had her for Rosemont we kitted up three of the quilts from the book. Keep an eye on the web-site for pictures. Beth just finished 2 new quilts that are great! She also sent off a picture of a quilt to Windham, for their Lincoln fabric, due out soon. Soon we can say we knew her when! Lot's of kitting going on in the store lately,it's not easy keeping up with the sample makers.The girls had a birthday lunch for me today, lots of fun, food and laughs, then back to work. One week to go until I leave for market!

Back from Paducah

Doing two shows back to back may be for the young! Rosemont was great, loved seeing all our old friends. Bob and Phyllis [The Silver Thimble] stayed with us. Why do we think we can stay up late talking and laughing and still get up in the morning? We all left for Paducah on Monday, they beat us there, we had to stop for a nap!!!! Tuesday was preview night, NO electricity it was dark, very dark. Nothing stops quilters from shopping,thank heavens for cell phone lights. The ceiling above us was glass and above that was 82 degree weather. We now know how tomatoes feel in a hothouse!!! Bonnie Blue Quilts were right across the isle from us, don't ask what Paula and I were doing all day,I'll never tell!!!! The gals from Old Green Cupboard were one isle over, another partner in crime! Didn't get to see much of the show or Paducah; too hot, too tired. Now we're back in the store [it's back together] and planning for Market. Beth has two new quilt designs almost ready, as well as Leanne with one. Stop by and see what's new!

On the road again

Here we go! Well we've been to Dallas and Bloomington and lived to tell about it. Now we are off to Rosemont, after the Rosmont Bus with 50 wonderful quilters on board visit the store. Beth, Jim and I are going to be setting up our booth (1344-1346).

Time out

Ok I have a quarter of a day off!!!! A couple of weeks ago Jim bought me a Singer Feather Weight..... I love it and him for listening to me it's in great condition[ for it's age] atleast thats what Joe said at Sew Unlimated. I had to tell him that it was made in 1950 just like me! Beth and I took Eliza to her first Quilt Show, ok so she slept through it. Oh to be 3 months old again. I now have 20 CWLL blocks done and 8 basket blocks. There's not to much hope of getting a lot done until after Rosemont and The Pentagon. The Web-Sampler will be over the end of April also and we've sent out over 500 blocks. Wow, May just might be my month to sew. To night is Stitchers Circle so I get to have some fun fun fun.

I'm seeing kits in my sleep!!!!!!!

The back room is overflowing with kits. You enter at your own risk! Quilts are coming back from sample makers so fast I can hardly keep up. Jim is so sick with the ick he hasn't been to the store or work for two days. Hope he's better for the Quilt show this week-end.He always loves to go to vend at the shows. Beth has the crud to, now I really feel sorry for her. I remember those days of being sick with an infant to take care of. It doesn't help that Jon is out of town. I'm going to miss CWLL club this Sat. because of the Quilt Show. I hate missing show and tell. I have no-nata-none show and tell this week. Of course I could take everyone in the back room to see what we did all month. I don't think anyone wants to see what goes on beyond those doors. We just ordered some new cross-stitch from Stacy Nash. She's new for us, can't wait for it to all come in the mail.She's so talented. Well, off to the post office to buy my weekly stamps for the Web Sampler, then to the foot Dr..

Day off !!!!

You would think I could get a lot done on a day off. Everything I touched went south, my cooking skills are gone, gone, gone. I started on my quilt for the Quilts For Warriors program I'm involved with.I got a lot of laundry done and a little housecleaning. Block number 14 is still under construction for CWLL. There's a basket block stuck in my brain. I still have a few days to get Eliza's block done. Oh well at least I got a lot done towards Rosemont this week. Back to the foot Doctor tomorrow, at least I can sit and think while they do therapy. We had a great time at Stitchers Circle last week, lots of new people!!!! We had 15 all together.........Lot's of laugh and lots of pizza and some stitching.

Foot Doctor

Ok now I have no excuses. There will be no operating on this old chick!!!! So it's back to sewing. I have to get a lot done because Quilt Festival is in April and then Jim and I are going to THE Pentagon. We'll stop at my mom and dads for a couple of days and then it's off to see Washington. Today I did an interview with Chicago Parenting Mag. about Quilts for wounded warriors, I hope it brings a lot of press to the cause. I guess we better get to getting on some quilts to take with us, we will be presenting them on April 24 th. in the court yard of the Pentagon. Maybe the bean counter[Jim] will buy a new car by then so we have room for everything. Tonight is Stitchers Circle at The Quilt Merchant hope I can behave. Ha Ha!!!

to busy to sew

Does everyone have this much trouble finding time to sew. My plans to get a block done everyday seems to have gone out the window. I guess I need Stella to challange me to get going. Now I know why retreats are so popular. I could use some time away to sew with others, I'm thinking that would push me.Maybe when I go to the foot Dr. tomorrow I'll get that time the hard way. Eliza was in the store a lot this week so I got a lot of love'n in this week!!!! I never get tired of haveing grandchildren, wich is a good thing since I'm going to have number 12.

A stitch in time

Getting back to quilting is harder than I thought!!!! I'm working on Civil War Love Letters and have twelve blocks done.Then I decided it's so much fun I'll jump in and do some of the Basket blocks the Jo's Little Women Club at the store are exchanging- OK still not enough I think I'll do the next block of the Saturday Sampler.Now I need a twelve step program. Well maybe I could do one block a month and put it away for new grand baby #11 Eliza. See what I mean, I need help!!!! I have a few people to blame for my return to quilting, they will pay, I mean help. I spent a few days with Jo Morton and some wonderful shop owners, and I have some wonderful instructors at The Quilt Merchant that are always pushing me to take the time. Now I need more time.