Take Your Child To Work Day & Book Review!!!

It's take your child to work day today! So my daughter stayed home from school and is working here today! She's busy running the copier right now then she will be assembling patterns and packing a few orders that are waiting to go out today. I think I'll take advantage of having a helper today and have her ride her bike to pick up lunch - SubWay maybe?? That's an easy and close bike ride! Hmmm, what else can I add to her to-do list today! I'm loving this!

So far on FaceBook I've gotten a bunch of suggestions as to what activities to have her perform - my favorite so far has been - pay the business bills from her allowance!  LOL - now that would be a learning experience for sure for her!!! Another favorite suggestion is to have her design a new pattern!  How fun would that be - I love that idea!

So far, my daughter Ashley is running the copier like a pro!  She's folded and assembled patterns before, but never invoiced or packed orders - I'm sure she can handle it with supervision of course!

Ashley is 13 years old and very intelligent, thoughtful and caring.  When she approaches a project she is so focused on that one thing - un-like me, where as I tend to bounce a little here and there because my mind is always running in 100 directions!

This is Ashley on her first day of kindergarten!

Here's Ashley when she was about 9 years old.

Here is a more recent photo of Ashley while we were on vacation!

I sure wish the High School my son attends would participate in Take Your Child To Work Day - 2 helpers in one day - could you imagine!  I would love that! If you would like more information on this special "holiday" for the kids check out this website:

Take Your Child To Work Day

Now on to the book review - Little Miss Kathie from Inspired By Antique Quilts blog gets me in so much trouble with all the wonderful books she tells me about.  Here is my latest acquisition:

The new Liberated Medallion Quilts book by Gwen Marston.  I love it!  I'm a huge Gwen fan - and would love to attend one of her retreats!  This book is so inspirational!  This book has wonderful photographing, information and patterns!

If you would like more information on the book or to order it visit Gwen's page here:

Gwen Marstons Webpage

I'm off to see what other jobs I can line up for my daughter!  I'm enjoying this "boss" thing - I could really handle this everyday!

Have a good one everybody!

Missing In Action

Hello! Sorry to be missing in action for the past week. In case you've forgotten - International Quilt Market is right around the corner and I leave in 3 short weeks!

Eeeeekkk!

Today I'm going to be finishing up several smaller projects along with the assistance of Bella!





Ya know - she's lucky she's so stinking' cute and she doesn't shed much!

Tara

Happy 15th Anniversary to my dear, sweet husband. Love you.

Tara
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Happy Anniversary to...

Quick little post..

Just a quick little post today to show you a couple things and wish you an awesome weekend!

First - this awesome little basket (hand made by a fabulous basket maker from Michigan!!!) I bought at a quilt show a couple weeks ago is packed and ready for today's adventure!

Lots of hand stitching is ready to go today as I head back to the hospital to sit and visit with the proud new first time Mommy of this little guy - 

This sweet little baby boy arrived yesterday after much hard work on Mommies part.  His name is still yet to be decided.  He is gorgeous!  I love the feeling of holding a baby. So I'm packed and ready to go and enjoy a few more snuggles today.  I would have a houseful of children if I could, but our baby days are over and my children are now 13 and 14 - so I'll just love on this precious little baby bundle of joy for awhile today!

But before I go - If you do not subscribe or purchase Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine, you simply must!  Run - to get the latest issue which is their Special First Anniversary Issue.

Here's a little eye-candy to convince you (and yes, each of these projects have now been added to my ever growing bucket list!)  Enjoy and have a great weekend!

Legacy Sampler Slideshow

Just a fun little slide show of the Kansas City March Block Of The Month program that one of the designers created!  Enjoy the show!

Make your own photo slideshow

Today's Agenda

One more day closer to Quilt Market and one more new project ready to roll - well almost....

This is what part of my design wall looks like this morning -

I'll give you a little peak at what's under some of that fabric - 

Pumpkins have sprouted here at the sewing patch!  I'm in a fall mood today - or at least I'm trying to be, even though spring has barely begun in our world!

My ever faithful helpers are already on break and the day is still new and fresh.  Geez, can't find good help anymore!

And also - please excuse these fuzzy, not so clear photos this morning.  You can thank my Dear Hubby and Dear Son for these terrible snapshots, you see I had to use my cell phone to take these pictures! Why you ask - let me tell you - they were working in my office this past weekend installing a new printer and new software.  My digital card for my camera was in my computers processor and someone hit it and bent it to pieces (it sticks out the front of my processor) - I just discovered it this morning - uuughhhhh - I must go to Best Buy and get another one - there's another quilt show this weekend!

Look at this thing -

Someone is in deep doo-doo......  just saying!  LOL

Hoppy Easter!!!

Happy Easter my dear bloggie friends!  I hope you have a fabulous Easter Sunday!

Lazy Saturday...

Today - along with working on new designs for Quilt Market - I'm going to set aside an hour or two to work on this!

I'm going to use my favorite Ardco Templates and trace out a few 4" finished size Lemoyne Star blocks - just because they are so cute!

While reading and marking a blog ages ago to "get back to" when I had time - I was browsing again this morning and read Taryn's post again and got the "bug" to just stop and make a few of these beauties!

Here's a pic of Taryn's blocks from her blog!

Aren't they cute!

Check out Taryn's Blog here to read more about these cute little blocks!

Repro Quilt Lover's Blog

Yesterday my daughter and I played around with dyeing Easter Eggs!  What fun!  Here's a couple pictures of our creations:

 Our Tie-Dye egg creations

 A special egg just for Daddy!

And here are the marbelized eggs we experimented with!

In other news:

2 finished Dear Jane blocks.  The one on the left is a keeper - the one on the right - well, I'm going to soak it in water for a bit longer today, but if that supposed "washable" marker does not come out all the way - it's going in the garbage!  What a disappointment!  Beware of the blue Crayola washable marker!  I decided to try them out after reading about them on another blog awhile back!  Well, that blue one is a real evil one - hopefully a good soaking will remove that bleeding and the rest of the markings!

Have a great Saturday!

A Lovely Little Surprise

Well, I was a little surprised yesterday with a comment a sweet gal by the name of Marsha left me on my blog!

It seems that I did not read my newest issue of American Patchwork and Quilting Magazine (June 2012) very closely!  Her quilt that she made from one of our patterns is in the I Am A Quilter section on page 16!  Can you say Duh!!!!

Wow! This is so neat!  If you missed this pattern called Two-Piece Puzzle in the April 2010 issue of American Patchwork and Quilting I'm sure you can probably still order back issues or find a copy at an online quilt shop by doing a simple search!  

Or you can order the pattern on our website also here:

Two Piece Puzzle Pattern

Or - you can check with Primitive Gatherings up in Menasha, Wisconsin - She has our quilt on display right now and was selling kits for it in the black, red and cream theme that I originally used!  You can view their website here or give them a call at: 1-920-722-7233

Primitive Gatherings Quilt Shop

Thanks Marsha for sharing this!  

Check out Marsha's blog here:

Grandma's Quilts Blog

Winner, Winner of the Fabric Bundle!!!

Congratulations to:
Sue of Simply Piece-ful Quilting Blog

(great blog by the way my bloggie friends - you must go check out her blog and leave her a congratulations comment!)

You are the winner of our blog giveaway contest for the fat quarter bundle of Crimson Bouquet fabrics!  Just contact me via email at sewunique7@aol.com with your snail mail address and I'll ship this pretty bundle out to you on Monday!

If you get a chance - go back and read through the comments on my giveaway post - there are a lot of brick and mortar and online shops mentioned!  You may just find a new "must shop at" quilt shop!

Read That Post and The Comments Here

Thanks everyone!

I'd say 99% of the time that I spend designing new patterns I'm totally "into it" and raring to design the "next big thing". But part of the reason I decided to stop selling fabric on my website at the beginning of this year and traveling and vending at all the quilt shows was so that I could have more "me" time. I'm sure you can understand that - we all have busy lives and from time to time we just want a few minutes to ourselves to be selfish and just say "enough of the world - its all about me."

I've been really busy devoting almost 100% of my time lately to working on new projects to be introduced next month at quilt market and I'm having a blast doing it. But this afternoon I'm taking a little time for myself and pulled an old project out of its storage bin. Here she is:






This is a small quilt I hand pieced and started hand quilting probably three years ago. I had fun looking at all the bits and pieces of fabric and the pattern templates and all my little notes that were stored with her in her tote - quietly sitting on the shelf waiting to see daylight again. Well, I just feel like a mini break today for a couple hours to rejuvenate myself and this little quilt will get some of my attention today!

As well as this new magazine that just arrived in the mail today:






And I'm going to enjoy looking at these pretty flowers today while I stitch the day away. Thank you to my hubby and my neighbor for the "purty" flowers they surprised me with yesterday!

Then later this evening - ill jump back into market prep and start stitching on this new design:





And I know a friend of mine that is having a few struggles in her life is going to read this today. My dear friend I'm thinking of you today and hope that you will join me today and take time to smell the flowers around you - I know you have a beautiful yard filled with gorgeous flowers right now and a great swing out there too, that you can go sit down in and enjoy a little quiet time for yourself. I know also that you like to do a little hand stitching every now and then. So grab a project dear friend and go stitch for awhile! Life will get better! Remember - everything happens for a reason! Things will get better!

For the rest of my friends in blog land - I hope you have a great day and remember to indulge yourself in something just for yourself every now and then! What is your favorite way to relax?

And don't forget - we are having a blog give away and will draw the winners name tomorrow! If you missed the blog post talking all about that - here's the link and don't forget to comment there to enter for the drawing!

Blog Give Away

And here is a quick pic I just snapped of Queen Bella taking a little afternoon nap! Isn't she cute!











Tara
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:A Selfish "Me" Interruption

A Little Stitching Today

Today, I'm going to be stitching on yet another new design that we will release next month at International Quilt Market!






I love this time of year when myself and hundreds of other designers go into hibernation mode (of sorts) and quietly and frantically start working harder and harder to complete our newest designs to introduce to you!

What are you working on today!










Also, be sure to check out Coats And Clark's 200 year anniversary celebration! Wow - 200 years! That is a long time!

http://www.coatsandclark200years.com/






Tara
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:The Quilt Kingdom, Joliet, Illinois

String Along Quilt Guild Show Pictures

Yesterday I had such a great time in Valparaiso, Indiana visiting the 2012 String Along Quilt Guild show. I really like this guild and wish I lived closer.  It's a wonderful bunch of quilters and they are so talented!

I took several pictures for you to view and enjoy!  Below you will find the slide show and below that a direct link to my Webshots album where you can view the pictures at your leisure!

Enjoy - and don't forget - we have a Blog Give Away going on right now!  If you missed yesterday's post - click on this link to go read about it!!

Blog Give Away

String A Long Quilt Guild Show 2012

2012 String Along Quilt Guild Show Pictures!!!

The Unveiling of The Legacy Sampler Quilt & Blog Give Away!

Thanks for coming back to view the surprise project we have in store for you!

I introduce you to:

The Legacy Sampler

Designed by 16 quilt designers (each of us listed below!)

16 Country Vintage Designers have come together to offer a unique block of the month program to quilt shop owners who attend the May market in Kansas City & complete the Kansas City March Booth Hop.  Which in turn - will bring this fabulous new Block of The Month program to each of you valued quilting lovers at your local favorite quilt shop!  Each of the 16 designers has created a special block for the quilt "Our Legacy Sampler" shown above. Quilt Shop owners will also have the chance to win this quilt for their shop by visiting each of the Kansas City March booths in May.  There will also be a number of other prizes for the participants of the hop including fabric bundles, pattern bundles, books and more!

I welcome each of you to visit our website we have created to give you more information on this outstanding project! Please forward this information on to your favorite quilt shop!!!

Click the Logo Below to be taken directly to the Kansas City March Website!

And here are each of the designers involved in this awesome project - including their website address! ((((Now - pay attention to each of our blocks - I want you to pick out your favorite and tell me which one you like the best - but not quite yet - take your time and enjoy and browse and finish reading this blog post all the way to the end!))))  Just click on each of the quilt blocks below to visit their websites! If you would like to visit their blogs (if they have one) I've provided the links for their individual blogs directly below their quilt blocks!!!  Enjoy!

The Clothesline Quilter

Geoff's Mom Blog

My Life In Threads Blog

Linen Closet Quilts Blog (no website)

A Few Loose Threads Blog

Annemarie's Anecdotes Blog

The Red Button Blog

Sew Unique Creations Blog

The Cottage Rose Blog

Little Bits of This n That Blog

(Keep reading - I know you can't stand the suspense of what the Blog Give Away is all about - but bare with me - and NO this is not an April Fool's Joke!)

And here are the wonderful companies that are sponsoring our group endeavor!

Tri-State Printing

Wow - congratulation - you've made it to the end of this awesome blog post!  And now for the Blog Give Away!  I want to know the name of your favorite brick and mortar (meaning they have an actual building that you walk into to shop at!) quilt shop.  Which quilt shop in your area - or that is far away from you that you have visited is your absolute favorite quilt shop?  PLUS (and this part is optional!) - if you have shopped online - I also want to know the name of your favorite online quilt shop!

So - to qualify for this Blog Give Away - you have to give me the name and city or state of your favorite quilt shop to drive to and shop at and this part is optional - your favorite online quilt shop that you order from!

 For each person that comments your name will be entered into our drawing to give away this gorgeous Fat Quarter Bundle of Crimson Bouquet fabric that was designed by Jo Morton for Andover Fabrics!

Here's a peak at the fabric:

Please leave a comment to be entered into our drawing.  We will draw the winning name this coming Friday April 6th, 2012! 

Happy April everyone!