Merry Christmas

I will be on vacation for the next week. So any orders placed will be a little late in arriving.
Merry Christmas!

Above the Buffet is Above the Buffet

I must apologize for not posting lately. I have no excuse. But, finally, I finished Above the Buffet. It is actually hanging above my buffet, although the dowels still need to be trimmed. Amie Potter did a beautiful job quilting it for me. It was a very simple quilt to make. The blocks were very easy to sew. If I make it again, I will choose a medium background for the blocks. That way the "lace" accent will show up better. When I found the border fabric, it was so light and airy, that it needed a light background. After almost 15 years of another wallhanging hanging above my buffet, I was soooooo ready for something new. I am very happy with my new quilt.

What Color Green

Take this test to find out what color of green you are! I am Teal Green. It makes me sound pretty good!

You Are Teal Green

You are a one of a kind, original person. There's no one even close to being like you. Expressive and creative, you have a knack for making the impossible possible. While you are a bit offbeat, you don't scare people away with your quirks. Your warm personality nicely counteracts and strange habits you may have.

What Color Green Are You?

Twirling Thyme

It's a beautiful day in Oceanside and I just finished a baby size Twirling Thyme. I love this one, so I took it outside and took a picture of it. I was searching through all my stash and found these two border prints that actually looked kind of pretty together. Then I found just a little bit of the purplish plum for the flowers and I had a quilt! Now I need to decide if I will send it out to Amie to quilt or try to do it on my own. Even Tess liked it.

Podcast

Yesterday I did a podcast with Rosie Gonzales of Rosie's Calico Cupboard in San Diego. You can listen to it at http://www.wsradio.com/internet-talk-radio.cfm/shows/Quilting-with-Rosie-Radio.html

Spanish Tile

I just finished a beautiful Spanish Tile quilt. It really is one of my favorite quilts. Andy took photos of it yesterday. I made up a few kits in a small lap size and will have them up on the website just as soon as I figure the shipping.
I am also working on a new quilt that I am calling (for the time being, anyway) Split Medallion. It's another easy quilt. I think I am very happy with it. I have been busy writing directions and making the illustrations. It should be ready in a few months.
This has been one of those seasons where I seem to go from project to project, never finishing one before I start on another. My sewing room (can't bring myself to call it a sewing studio) is a mess. And I don't want to take the time to clean it up. It is easier and a lot quicker to go buy another seam ripper or bodkin when I can't find my old one. Of course, like all of us, my tools always show up once I move something.

More Quilts To Look At

Houston, You Have a New Quilt

Yesterday, I delivered my Native Star to Hoffman Fabrics for them to hang in their booth at Houston. I am hoping Andy, my son and webmaster will get the new pattern up on my website real soon.
I actually started on a UFO yesterday. Years ago, when I was writing my first book Primrose, I started several quilts that I never finished. I just got really tired of making the same ones over and over. My contract with Quiltsmart said I had to make about 7 or 8 quilts for the book. And I started a whole lot more than that. Anyway, I pulled out a Worms on Parade. It was probably about one fourth done. It's a good quilt for a child and who knows......maybe someday I will have grandchildren. That's not a hint, Carol!!!!
This is also good way to add to my available fabric stash. Of course, I have always bought a little extra fabric for each project. When I finish, the extra goes into a usable stash catagory. OOOOOOOh, that sounds like I am organized! Fooled you!! So, when I actually do finish this worm quilt, there will be some more little scraps to play with. That's as good a reason as any to finish a UFO.

I have been very busy making a Queen size Native Star. I have just one more lattice to sew and I will be finished. This is one part of quiltmaking that seems to drag on for me. I love picking the fabric and making the blocks, even sewing the blocks into rows. It's just that last part, sewing the rows together that I have to force myself to finish. And it is probably the easiest part. Who knows why. We all have our silly quirks.
I am doing some last minute changes to the pattern. I added a pillowcase pattern, as there are several half-square triangles left over with the bed size quilts. That seemed like a very appropriate way to use them up.
The quilt for the Hoffman Booth is finished. I need to print up some flyers and then I will drive that up to Hoffmans so that they will have it to hang at Quilt Market.
Rosie Gonzales of Rosie's Calico Cupboard in El Cajon, and I have been emailing back and forth. She will be interviewing me for a podcast on November 12th. That's kind of scary and exciting at the same time. I also will be teaching in her shop, although we haven't settled on a date. I think I will teach Blooming Stardust.
I can't wait to start on my next pattern. I haven't come up with a name, naturally. That is almost always the last thing. But I am excited about the new design. A preview will be up shortly!

Leaky Pipes and a Full Day of Sewing

Yesterday, today and tomorrow, I have had and will have three men and a ton of hoses and funny looking things all over in my house. We had a leaky pipe under our slab and are in the process of having epoxy sent through all the pipes. For the past few weeks the cold water has been running warm to hot and finally to cold in four different faucets. I guess the theory is that the leak is in a hot water line and that leak is warming up the cold water pipes. Anyway, I am spending all day at home and what else can I do but sew. I am working on a very scrappy Native Star. I am still testing all the directions. It's a Double/Queen and I think it will look very pretty on my guest bed. It is in very fall like colors. I am also working on a pillowcase design, as there are quite a few half-square triangles left over. I like a pillowcase with all hidden seams, so that is what I am playing with.
It's back to sewing. Hey, I can't cook. No water! Maybe tomorrow I will do some much needed cleaning in my sewing room. It is such a mess right now that I can't find 12 squares that I know I cut! I think, maybe, I need to spend a little time cleaning. Ouch! I hate that word!

Just Another Sunday Afternoon

Today was one of those days. The afternoon started off all right. In fact, my daughter Carol had just said that we spent a perfect Sunday afternoon together. We both had relaxing pedicures. We think we finally found the the right "salon" to patronize. We were both happy with our "new toes". We shopped. I found a great new blue purse. Carol bought some really pretty coffee cups and saucers. Then we stopped for a little pick me up at the local Boudin Bakery.
Ummmm good!
But then I wanted Carol to look at a folding screen I had seen at an import store. She liked it, I liked it, and it was on sale. Snce I couldn't find anyone to help me, Carol dragged it up to the cash register. The bad part of the day was now beginning! The girl said I couldn't have that one because it was a store model. So we waited for 10 minutes to see if they had another. They didn't. So they decided to sell me the one that Carol dragged through the store. Then the cashier said she would get someone to take it to my car. I pulled up my car to the front of the store. I waited another 15 minutes for someone to help me. I was getting ticked off, because the young man who was supposed to help me, kept ignoring me. The younger and cuter girls were more interesting to talk to. This is after I had asked him to help me. We're talking about a 1 minute job for him. Anyway, I finally got it in my car.
We then went to Kinkos to pick up something I had taken in yesterday morning. I took in all the copy. All Kinkos had to do was cut it and glue it up into tablets. Should have been easy.....................Apparently not!!! Needless to say, I have to reprint everything and try another Kinkos. My nephew Curtis manages another Kinkos. I know he can do it right. I should have taken it to him in the first place. What a day!!
But when I got home, faithful friend, Tess, was waiting for me........the end to a not so perfect Sunday afternoon!

Native Star

I finished binding my quilt for my new pattern, Native Star. As soon as I get the photograph from my son who took a picture of it this past weekend, the pattern should be up on my website. I am really very excited about this pattern. The Hoffman batiks were just beautiful. My thanks to Hoffman for probviding the fabric. I wish I was going to Market this year. It would be so much fun seeing my quilt hanging in the Hoffman booth. But that's not to be. Maybe next year.

Above the Buffet

My daughter Carol got after me today! She reminded me that I hadn't blogged for quite some time. So today I finished my free pattern for the appliqued leaves for Above the Buffet. It was really quick to trace, cut out and zigzag the leaves in place. Directions should be up in a day or two.

An update on my trigger thumb. I got a shot of cortisone almost two weeks ago. It is slowly starting to bend. In a few more days, my thumb should be good as new.

Fabric Arrived

The Hoffman batiks arrived in the mail while I was at the San Diego Quilt Show. I couldn't wait to get started on my Native Star, so I cut the strips on Sunday, ripped apart on Monday and finished it today. I didn't like the way I had combined some of the prints in four of the blocks. That's why I ripped it all apart. I had planned it one way and then forgot what I had planned. Anyway, it is done and ready to go to Amie for the quilting. She's the one that does the magic.
Tessie got a shower this morning. Bear with me, while I talk about my almost perfect dog for a minute. When it is time for her shower, I just go into the downstairs bathroom and pull open the shower curtain. Tess hears that and in the shower she goes. I don't have to say a word to her. I don't know why, but she seems to love it. The shower has a large built-in ledge to sit on. We attached one of those rubber hoses with a sprayer. It was more for us than her. It is just so much easier on our backs than washing her outside. I think she must like the warm water. If the water isn't warm, I just say "not yet" and out she walks, but she turns around immediately and goes back in. Am I lucky or what!!

San Diego Quilt Show

Well, today is day one of the San Diego Quilt Show. It was a surprise that I actually got in as a vendor. Someone had to drop out for me to get a space, and that is just what happened. So with just a few days to get ready, I jumped at the chance. Yesterday, my husband Dave and daughter Jill set up the booth. The show doesn't seem to be that big, only 61 vendors. But I hope that doesn't stop the quilters from coming. My neighbor Jane is going to help me today and my daughter Carol will help me on Friday and Saturday. Hope to give more updates tomorrow.

More Photos of My Quilts

Goodby Old, Hello New

OK, I confess. I do love scissors. Especially new ones. There is nothing like cutting into fabric with a brand new pair. It can be like cutting through air, or slicing through butter. Sharp, clean effortless cuts! Wow! I do have a drawer full. I love the different colors they come in. But, I can't pass by a good pair of black or silver either. Be it Gingher, Fiskar, Henkel or anything inbetween, I like my scissors.
But alas, they have all been put away. A couple new ones are now calling my sewing room "home". I just purchased two spring-action scissors. They work great and since my right thumb is giving me a hard time, they may become the only scissors I use.

I am patiently waiting for the fabric from Hoffman's to arrive. I am so ready to make up my new pattern in the beautiful batiks. UPS has already been here this morning with something else, but no fabric.

Batiks,Batiks, Batiks

Today, I went to the Hoffman warehouse to pick out fabric for my new pattern. Boy, are their batiks BEAUTIFUL. I can't wait to see them when they arrive in the mail. Sandy at Hoffman was very helpful, and I look forward to working with her a lot more. I will take photos of the fabric when it arrives.

Fabric Troubles

Yesterday, I made an appointment to visit the Hoffman Fabric warehouse to pick fabric for a new pattern that I am calling Native Star. I met a couple of Hoffman ladies at the Long Beach Quilt Festival and they invited me to use their fabric. How exiting!
I made this quilt up using some inexpensive fabric that I purchased at a well-know fabric store. I was very unhappy with the fabric. I have some kind of allergy to unwashed fabric. I cough, gag and my eyes water if I don't immediately throw the fabric in the wash when I get it home. Well, I did that, but I still had a bad time sewing with this fabric. I couldn't stand to throw out the left over scraps, so in the wash they went for a second time. All I can figure is that there was so much sizing and formaldehyde in this fabric, that it didn't all come out in the wash.
I do like the look of the quilt. The fabrics were pretty, but I will need to wash the quilt as soon as it is quilted.

Hey, Anyone See My Dog

Last Block Finished

I think I finished my last new block for the Above the Buffet quilt. I am calling this block Three Bottles. How's that for originality! I know I need to do a few more Wine Goblets, but that is it as far as new blocks go. Then I will lay them all out and see if I need to change any of the colors. Remember this BOM is going to be a surprise to me, also.
I changed this block a little. I added some little stripes on the bottles that kind of look like labels,
The next step is figuring out the lace edges on the shelves, or maybe some of the applique leaves. Many of the leaves will need to be appliqued after the blocks are assembled.
Today I will write the directions. They should be up on my website sometime this week.

Sewing For a Lifetime

I have a sewing addiction!
A zillion years ago, I started to sew. It started innocently. I sat on the floor next to my mother and her old Kenmore sewing machine. She gave me some scraps and a hand sewing needle. But that wasn't enough. I wanted to use the MACHINE! So my mother taught me how to sew on her old black monster. After all, back then it seemed very big and black! After awhile I learned how to follow a pattern. I guess I must have been able to read, but I was still pretty young since my first project was a doll dress.
My need to sew kept increasing, I couldn't get enough. When my mother was sewing, I wanted to sew. So much so, that I changed the thread everytime she got up to iron. Then I would sew a little, and change it back to her thread color when she was done ironing. I did this over and over and over! How I got anything done is beyond me. But it was worth it.
There was even a time that I burnt myself with the iron. I didn't think I would be allowed to iron if my mother knew, so I never told her. Not till dinner did she see my arm and back of my hand. I told her it was nothing, that it didn't hurt much. But believe me, I was putting cold water on it all day long. I still have scars from that burn! Imagine a little girl afraid that she might not get to use the iron!!!

Long Beach Has Come and Gone

Well. Long Beach Quilt Festival has come and gone. Thanks to everyone who came by to say hello. The three days were a lot of fun, but I sure was tired when I got back home. I received a lot of positive feedback about my quilt designs and that made me feel really good. I wish I had been able to see more of the quilt show, but that doesn't usually happen when you have to work a booth. The quilts that I did see, on exhibit, were nothing short of spectacular, and hats off to all of the creative quilters who obviously spend hours and hours perfecting their craft. I wish I could produce a quilt half as good as any one of those quilts.
My booth was just a half booth. So I was really cramped. The space didn't allow for all the quilts I would like to have had hanging. But it was a great first try and I can't wait for my next show!

My Bright Red Cabinet

As I have been packing for the Long Beach Quilt Festival, I am afraid my sewing room has suffered.
There are no longer any neat little piles of quilts started and stashed. No cleared off sewing table to enable inspiration to flow... The floor is covered with left over slivers from the rotary cutter. The mixed up, jumble of creativity is everywhere and nowhere.
Next week, I clean!
But in all the clutter, I still can see my wonderful red cabinet filled with my fabric stash. When I saw this at Ikea, I couldn't stop thinking about putting it in my sewing room. I don't have anything red anywhere else in my home. But it is a color full of energy and I just love it! When everything else is a mess, my red cabinet filled with all my little fabric playthings might be the only inspiration that I need!

My First Show

I am participating in the Long Beach Quilt Festival this month. This will be my first show.
Is that scary or what! I have been getting ready for a long time, making sample quilts, new patterns, writing long lists and gathering up everything I need to take with me. I have worked trade shows in the past when I managed the Quilt in a Day store,so this is not entirely new to me. But when everything rests on my shoulders, it is a little intimidating.
I have a small booth. It couldn't get any smaller! Trying to hang all my samples will be a challenge.
My good friend Luckie and my daughter Carol are willing to help me sell. Luckie worked forever for Quilt in a Day and has worked many Festivals and Trade Shows, so she will be a great help. And my daughter, Carol worked in a grocery store for many years. So she is comfortable working retail also. My other daughter, Jill, who is great with interior design, is going to help me set up along with my husband Dave. And my son Andy will help me dismantle everything. Let's hope there isn't much inventory left for him to haul out!

A Day at the Zoo

Yesterday, I took a day off from quilting, and went to the San Diego Zoo with my son Andy. It was hot and there was a lot of walking.....no tram ride for us! We both took cameras with heavy lenses (I know nothing about taking pictures, so I used one of his cameras). Unfortunately, the afternoon heat meant many of the animals were sleeping in the shade. But I did get some nice pictures of giraffes and flamingos. Tomorrow, it is back to quilting!