I need this sign!

Kansas City Star Booth at Quilt Market

Busy day ahead for me - got some baking to do and then off to spend time with family & friends!

Hope you have a wonderful Memorial Day and thank you to all of those that we celebrate and remember today and always!

Here are the photos I took in the Kansas City Star booth at 2013 Spring Quilt Market.  I didn't bring my good camera with because it's a bit annoying to lug around sometimes, so these are Iphone pictures - of which I am not the best at taking!  So please forgive little ole' me!

Silent & Sometimes Silly Sunday!

2013 Quilt Market New Notion Review

While at Quilt Market I was able to test this new rotary cutter by Olfa out.  Love it!  They have redesigned the handle to make a more comforting fit in your hand.  The actual handle, instead of being flat like the traditional Olfa rotary cutter has a gentle curve to it and fit better in my hand! I wish I could find a good side shot of the cutter, but alas I cannot.  I'm always worried about the tools I use and the way I use my hands now since having carpal tunnel surgery a year and a half ago.  I do have to say, this cutter felt good in my hand!

It's got the same quick blade change feature as the normal Olfa cutters.

And can be used for right or left handed people!

Plus - I love the aqua color!

Here's a bit of info on the rotary cutter from Olfa's website:

Experience precision with pizzazz! Your creations aren’t boring, and your rotary cutter shouldn’t be either. That’s why we are introducing the new Splash rotary cutter. Vibrant aqua handle is contoured for comfortable cutting, and integrated grooves at the head of the cutter help prevent finger slippage. 
Quick blade change feature means simply sliding the blade-lock down to release the old blade, load new blade, and re-secure blade-lock to begin cutting again. 
Blade cover for additional safety. Includes and fits RB45 blade. 

I cannot wait for my local quilt shops to get these in stock - I want one now!!!!! (Hint, Hint - to my local quilt shops - order these please!!!!!)

Our Next Book Reveal....

I was so happy to receive permission yesterday to share the cover of my next upcoming book with you!  This is  

Cozy Quilts: A Charming Blend of Wool Applique and Cotton Patchwork

 I have enjoyed every moment of creating the projects in this book for everyone.  Each project is a smaller quilt, wall quilt, table topper etc.  All projects are cotton patchwork backgrounds with wool applique!  And for those of you that enjoy cotton applique - this book is for you also!  I also am proud to say that I met my personal goal for this book - each of the designs I hand quilted!  Luckily Kansas City Star, my publisher, has one of the most fantastic photographers around!  You can clearly see the detail in each of the projects!

11 projects will be in this book, I cannot share those photos with you just yet - but soon, very soon I can.  For now enjoy the sneak peek on the back cover!

My wonderful, favorite, spectacular editor Kimber of Heirlooms by Ashton House Blog, shared some more info on my book a couple days ago, so be sure to follow the link to her blog!

Also - here's another big surprise announcement!

Do you like thread?  Well so do we and I'm so pleased and proud to announce that Valdani - the makers of that 100% hand dyed and 100% colorfast thread that we all love has asked me to do a box set of colors for them to coincide with the release of my book.  

I've chosen 12 beautiful colors that will work wonderfully with the projects in our book - they are the colors we use!  I will have the box sets of thread and the books available on my website for pre-orders as soon as I can get a more exact date on the release of the book.  We know it's July for sure.  As long as my last set of final edits go smoothly - I hope for an early July release!  Fingers crossed!

And for those of you that have quilt shops near you that you love - suggest to them that they host our quilts from this book for a trunk show at their store!  I already have a few local quilt shops signed up and cannot wait to hit the trails again here locally for book signings!  Those are always so fun.

Thank you my blogging friends for you support and kind words during the last few months I've been working on this book!

And be on the lookout next spring for the follow up to our first book with Kansas City Star - Simply Charming II is in the works!  Yes!!!!!

My Kind Of Quilting Bee....

Fresh from the Prairies new quilt book

Found another good quilt book last week:

This is Fresh from the Prairies by Devon Lavigne and Sharon Smith for Kansas City Star books.

I do believe I've found myself a couple more quilts added to my "to do" list after looking through this book!!!

And a brief description borrowed from the Pickledish website:

Fresh from the Prairies: 12 Quilts that Capture the Spirit of the West

The prairies of Alberta, Canada, fuel the design choices of Devon Lavigne and Sharon Smith. They’ve created 12 quilt designs inspired by quilts of the past: cowboys, prairie labyrinths, Northern lights ― even haystacks. Using antique and reproduction fabrics, they add the unexpected―a splash of black, a spark of white, vintage florals―with youthful energy, independent spirit, and a style that’s upscale and eccentric, too. Also included is a section with detailed pointers on basic quilt techniques.

8 1/2 x 11 inches, softcover, 96 pages.

Here is a link to view some of the pages of the book

Sneak Peek of Fresh from the Prairies

Here is a link to the Pickledish website!

Pickledish Store Online

Enjoy!

Silent & Sometimes Silly Sunday!

Revival - A new quilting book

I received this book in the mail recently and though I would share some of the quilts that are in this beautifully written book.  

This is
Revival
A Study of Early 20th Century Colonial Revival Quilts

by the American Quilt Study Group

This book can be purchased directly through Kansas City Star!  If you do not have a quilt shop near you where you can purchase this book here is a direct link to the KC Star website.

Pickledish Book Store

Here is a previous of the book also were you can read some of the pages of the book and view a few quilts:

Sneak Peek at Revival

And here's a little bit more of a description of the book borrowed from the KC Star website:

Revival!: A Study of Early 20th Century Colonial Revival Quilts

by the American Quilt Study Group

The Colonial Revival era linked quiltmakers’ busy hands with a longing for the past, especially Colonial times. Member of the American Quilt Study Group accepted the challenge to study quilts of this era by making reproductions of Colonial Revival quilts from the early 20th century. Included in the book are 28 study quilts, with patterns for 10. Fifteen of the 28 quilts are traveling across the country in a special exhibit.

8 1/2 x 11 inches, softcover, 96 pages.

The Riverwalk Quilters Guild Show Pictures!!

This past Saturday I had the pleasure of visiting The Riverwalk Quilters Guild show that was held in Naperville, IL.  Lots of beautiful quilts and the ladies that organized the show were so kind!

Here's a link to my Flickr account where you can view all the quilts I took photos of:

Riverwalk Quilters Guild Show 2013

I leave for Portland, Oregon for the International Quilt Market bright and early tomorrow morning!  Wish me luck I get so nervous on airplanes anymore!  I've got my sewing bag all packed and ready to go - I'll worry about the clothes later - but the necessities are packed!  LOL  I'm going to do my best to do a market recap either while I'm there or after I return home!

In the meantime, here are a few of my favorite quilts I saw at the show this past weekend!  Enjoy!

A Little TLC

Silent & Sometimes Silly Sunday!

A little bit of everything!

Hello! Wow - I've been so busy getting ready to leave for market, planning this years garden and getting the flower beds ready - I neglected my poor old blog!

Here's a few things I've been working on these past few days.





I kind of hit a stall on the TradeWinds quilt. It's been so nice outside I've not wanted to sit at the sewing machine. But I have to get it finished up soon because I need my design wall space back!





This past week I also started on the first border for the Stars and Sprigs quilt. I figured since there are four of these heavily appliquéd borders I better start working on them also, in between making the blocks. This border is a lot of fun so far!




I had Dear Jane club last Saturday and above are three more blocks I've finished this week. Top left is K-7 Rose of Sharing, top right is H-12 Hannah Lou's Heart and the bottom block is I-11 Coyote Chase. I love working on these little blocks!

While I was out weeding one of the flower beds this morning before the predicted rain comes, I found four little bitty baby bunnies! They are so cute. I'm going to watch today and make sure Momma bunny comes back around because I was awfully close to snipping one of them with the trimmers this morning. I hope Momma bunny won't leave them now!





Yesterday I was so excited to see my daughters picture in our local paper. She participated in the Shoot For A's Science club this year! So proud of her!





And we have another doggie visitor here with us for a few weeks. His name is Chullo and he's such a good dog! His owner is taking care of two very,very sick boxer doggies right now, so Chullo is spending time here!





And for those of you that remember me taking care of seven puppies and their Momma since December 31st - I'm proud to say as of two weeks ago all the puppies found their "furever" homes as well as Momma Bridget!

Tara
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

LOL - A Scrappy Quilter Indeed!

Silent & Sometimes Silly Sunday!

It's Dear Jane club day!

I'm off for the Dear Jane club this morning at The Quilt Merchant! Love this club - and to think if I could have kept up with the monthly assignments, my quilt would almost be finished! LOL. That's ok, I'm used to having a ton of UFO's laying around here. I've got 5 Dear Jane blocks prepped and ready to work on. That's my goal for this month on that quilt - just five little blocks!





Isn't this a sweet little poem! I found it a few days ago on FaceBook and now I cannot remember whom to give credit to for posting it! My memory is getting so bad!




I love old pictures that show ladies quilting! And again - forgot where I first found this pic! But thank you to whoever it was that posted it!





Yesterday I made a little progress on my first border for the Stars and Sprigs quilt I'm working on. I was able to get some of the vines appliquéd down and then just couldn't take it anymore and had to dive into the stash and start adding color! So I added a bunch of the flower buds, petals and leaves and that is what I will appliqué on this morning before heading out the door!

If you are not familiar with The Stars and Sprigs quilt, here is a photo of the completed quilt!





Gorgeous isn't it!

I've got a bit of sad news to share with you. Please keep Libby Lehman and family in your thoughts and prayers. Libby suffered a brain aneurism earlier this week, underwent surgery, then swelling set in and she suffered a stroke. She underwent a second operation to remove another part of her skull to relieve some of the swelling. This has to be such a sad and stressful time for her family. Libby is such a talented and sweet person, so please say a prayer for her and send her many good thoughts.

If you would like to send get well cards and good wishes to her, here is her address - let's flood her mail box and help her and her family get through this terrible ordeal.


Libby Lehman
617 Caroline
Houston, TX 77002.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Tara
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Awesome Mail Day!

I have some of the best friends and family and I'm so thankful for them. Here I sit stitching away, doing a little appliqué work and trying to talk myself out of being in such a blah, bummed out mood - because of the rain and dreary weather - doesn't Mother Nature know the flower beds and gardens need my attention! So here I was having my little pity party and the mail lady comes.





Here is one of the most precious gifts I received today from my cousin Grethel and my Great Aunt Columbia Jane. I was so excited to see this! It's kind of hard to read what the jar says in the picture. It says - When Life Gives You Scraps....Make Quilts! Now how true is that! I was just thinking of my great aunt today as I was sewing away all snuggled up under the quilt she gave me - I blogged about this quilt before and there it is in the background of the jar!




Next up in the mail was my new thread caddy by Harry Barnett. Isn't it adorable! If you would like one or would like to invest in a great lap hoop or other sewing and quilting gadget holders be sure to visit his website!

Harry Barnett's Laptop Hoops

I received this great article in the mail from a dear sweet friend today. She's such a busy person and I really enjoyed this article, so thank you for thinking of me! -

Pam of Heartspun Quilts!

I really appreciate you sending this to me!




Thanks Mom for the envelope of coupons also! I love using coupons and saving money!

And the only other things in the mail were just junk! No Bills - yeah!!!

I'm done with my pity party now - thanks to my friends and family for making my day bright and sunny with your kindness!

Tara

A little of this and that...

Good morning!

I have to share this adorable pic of our puppy Dahlila -




It seems our little pup - now 16 weeks old is taking after our kitty Bella. She loves squeezing into small spaces. Here she was yesterday morning snoozing away in a basket in my office as I printed patterns and did other work. Too cute!

And speaking of Bella




Here she is with Dahlila playing a bit. Queen Bella is slowly coming around and starting to like Dahlila being a part of our family.


I have a bit of sad news to share with all my quilting friends.


"I just heard Libby Lehman has had an aneurysm. She is in intensive care at Hermann Memorial hospital in Houston. Those of us who know what a wonderful person she is will put up a positive thought for her tonight. Keep your fingers crossed, too. And if you are the praying kind...say a little extra one for her speedy recovery." This information was shared on Facebook late last night, I hope she is going to be ok. Libby is such a sweet person and a very talented quilter!

I missed blogging yesterday because I was busy outside while the weather here was a gorgeous 80 degrees and full of sunshine. I made a small dent in my yard work, getting my flower beds and garden ready for the season. My back and hips are paying for it now though. Getting older stinks!

So today I will take an easy recovery day and enjoy my stitching time. The weather is supposed to be nice again with a small chance of rain, so I think some time outdoors sitting on my deck and hand stitching is called for. Here are a few things I will probably work on.



The day before yesterday I got the itch to start on my first border for the stars and sprigs quilt I'm working on. I just think theses vines look lovely and cannot wait to start adding the flowers and leaves!





This is the Stars and Sprigs quilt. Do those borders not look like fun? A lot of work but its going to be a blast pulling fabrics to add color here and there through out these playful borders! This quilt is one of my long term projects, it will take a while to complete, but there is no rush! You can order this pattern at www.gloriouscolor.com or www.homesteadhearth.com

Here is one of the appliqué blocks I finished earlier this week.





And another:





I will probably work on some of my Lucy Boston: Patchwork of The Crosses blocks. Here is the layout of fabrics I'm using for my next block.



And here is a block I completed last week and forgot to share with you.





This quilt is going to be gorgeous when completed! Here is a picture of the original quilt I found on the Internet.





Did you pick up your copy of the latest issue of Quilt Sampler? It's in stores now! I look so forward to this publication that comes out twice a year!





It's almost Quilt Market time too! I fly out in two weeks to enjoy time at market with friends. I'm not vending this time - it's just to expensive to ship all of my product that far and in the past the Portland markets have never been the best for me. So this market I'm going to take classes, observe the market and pick up on hot new trends, enjoy time with my quilting friends and to talk to people in the industry that is necessary for me to continue growing my business!

The time for my latest book to be released is coming quickly! Only a few more weeks and it will be released! The artwork is being worked on now as well as the cover layouts. I cannot wait to get a sneak peek at what those talented people whom I am so fortunate to work with at Kansas City Star have come up with! I think you will enjoy this book - it's full of wool on cotton type projects. All small quilts! And for those of you that do not care much for working with wool - always remember you can adapt the patterns to use with all cotton fabrics also and create them using hand or machine appliqué!

Chat more later - I'm off to get some orders filled so that I can enjoy a peaceful day of stitching. And please, please remember to keep Libby in your prayers!

Tara
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