Home again, Home again...Jiggity Jig

I'm home from Minnesota. Six weeks of playing with the grandbabies, hugging my newest grand: Anastacia Hope and helping out Beka & Jason. I got to go to Classical Converstions each week with Jakob. He is home schooled but once a week he joins a large group of kids for Classical Instruction. Then for the rest of the week he learns with Mom at home. At 5 he's learning science, reading (he reads EVERYTHING!), art, Latin, English grammar, history and math. I was highly impressed with Classical Conversations as well as how Beka teaches at home. They also join a group twice a month for a PE class and another Science class.

We went to Emma Krumbees Apple Orchard when Anastacia was a week old.

For five days in the middle of my visit I met Liz in Houston for Quilt Market. We took classes, checked out the trends in fabrics and mingled with the famous. Liz didn't know who Ty Pennington was, but I did!He was quite charming! Then walking down the aisle was someone even more famous than Ty!My grands were more impressed with the cat! But I brought home something from Quilt Market this time Just For Me. I haven't really done that before, but Blue Hill had fat quarter bundles of their Civil War prints. Ten (yes, 10!) bundles came home with me.

And I'm now home and Mr. Scottie Dog is glad I am!

Long Time, No See...or Quilt Market Pt. 2

Yesterday and today I received several emails from friends in the blogging world saying basically the same thing: "Is everything OK? Long time, no see."


Yes, Tanya, Sara, Nan and Natalie...everything is fine. I've just been busy. I know I blogged last about Quilt Market and said there was more to come....here it is. I spent two weeks with the Grands in MN and the last several days back at home. I'll tell those tales later.

QUILT MARKET PART TWO:

While at Houston's International Quilt Market I rounded an aisle and stood in front of Martingale Publishers' booth. They are That Patchwork Place, one of the larger publishers of Quilting Books. In front of me was a cute gal working on "wonky letters" at a sewing machine. I glanced over and saw a copy (advanced copy...the book is NOT out yet) of Word Play Quilts: Easy Techniques from the UnRuley Quilter. Hey...we were InterNet friends...I timidly asked, "Are you Tonya? Wonky letters Tonya?" It turned out, of course, she was and we excitedly chatted about Wonky Letters, InterNet friends we had in common...Carol E. and Tanya W. Then Tonya suggested we have a picture taken:

Frame and all! The quilt we are in front of was made by none other than our friend in Japan, Tanya W. So here's another shot:
I like that there are wonky English letters AND Japanese characters. I believe this quilt now belongs to Tanya's daughter who lives in the states. Quilting certainly makes the world smaller!

This quilt here is not printed fabric! It is all applique by an Australian designer. Her work is impeccable.
This was a "tuffet" in one booth. Note the Yo Yo flowers....3-D flowers were everywhere at Quilt Market. I noted quite a trend in prints, colors, garments, toys, etc, etc that took me back to the mid 1970's.
Of course Sweet Chic was Pretty in Pink..Pink Princess style never goes out of fashion!
The button vendor reminds me of a candy shop display. Yummy color.

Amy Butler's booth is always in good taste....Midwest Modern....so color-filled and yet so restful.
Close up of some of her pillows & bags.
1950's influenced clothing....Mad Men, anyone? See the fabric flowers again? Sophistication at it's finest.
I loved this Four Poster Bed. Dolls, animals and "veggie" pillows abounded at Market.

If you keep your eyes open, you can even find a Gee's Bend Quilt display at the end of one aisle! Beauty in utilitarian jeans quilt.

OK....so there's Part 2 of Quilt Market. I've got at least one, if not two, more batches of pictures I think you'd like to see.

Thanksgiving is coming....I'm trying to be more thankful.....and to name my blessings. Today's thought...I'm so very thankful for my family, my daughters, their husbands & children and for my dear sweet Mr. Scottie Dog. I'm very blessed!

Quilt Market Post #1

Here's my report from Houston Quilt Market (Blogger is having issues right now so I can't change the order of the pictures or edit them...I'm hoping you don't mind). On Friday we spotted this VW Van....shades of Arcata!

Cute booth: Easy Peazy Patterns!At school house Jean Wells of The Stitchin' Post shared what she's been working on....she totally works in solids now. We're buying a bunch of solids!We enjoyed our time with Georgeann Bender & Rich Kizer...the business gurus. We had another consultation with them thanks to Susan Fuquay and American Quilt Retailer.I'll try to post more pictures later. Perhaps Blogger will cooperate. Liz and I found some wonderful embroidery & wool kits, patterns, clothing patterns, new books...and for those who know how wonderful the Quilt Smart printed interfacings are now making bottle bags in addition to Smart Tote & Cell Phone Tote! Watch also for our Hunter's Star from them too.

For Buck-a-Block fans we bought the 2011 program...and.....TA DA! Guess what's new? We know that most things have gone up in price lately but now you get an even bigger value for your Buck: TWO BLOCKS! That's right, each month you'll be able to make two blocks from your kit. We are really excited about the 2011 program.

We've seen lots of our friends we only see at Market: Ricky Timms, Amy Butler, Jo Morton, Eleanor Burns, Jackie Clark, Pat Sloan, Alex Anderson and more....more pics and info tomorrow!

What's with the weather?

On Tuesday I fly back to MN. Their weather forecast is rain mixed with snow for Wednesday night. Thursday I fly to Houston for Quilt Market. The forecast there is for 85+ & humid. So I'm going to need another suitcase just for clothes for all seasons!

We've been to "school"

On Tuesday our fabulous Pfaff educator, Vanessa came to town and spent a day and a half training us and our staff on how to demonstrate and sell our sewing machines. She took our motley staff (note that I'm including Liz and I in this group) and taught us so much about our Pfaff sewing machines that I'm surprised our heads did not explode! She taught us a few things about selling too.

Number 1: SMILE.

Geri and Liz demonstrate this. (Be sure to notice that our Quilt Expression models all have this fabulous 9 1/2" neck for quilting!)

Judy and Katie listen attentively to Vanessa's instruction. We learned how to use lots of different feet for our machines, wonderful stitches and lots of extras...how to make cording for example.

Or sew hems on jeans....you'd be so surprised how easily these machines could put new hems in your jeans...easy as pie.Oh and how to do a blind hem (need a skirt or pants hemmed?) in a nano second (or there-abouts...perhaps I exaggerate just a tad).
Here Geri is making a rolled hem.

Look at Liz smile...."Look Ma, I made a buttonhole!" These are the first buttonholes she's ever made. She's ready to tackle a garment now!

We all got a turn on the Grand Quilter. That stitch regulator certainly helps everyone to be a pro at free motion!

Thanks again, Vanessa for coming to Redwood Sewing Center. See you at Quilt Market next week.

Quilt Market, Part 1

It's hard now for me to believe that just last weekend, just 7 days ago I was in the midst of Spring Quilt Market in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Quilt Market is always such a rush...one day is classes, lots of classes....really way too many classes. By the end of the day you feel as though your head is going to explode with information about the newest notions, the coolest fabrics, books and patterns to WOW our customers...plus the "how to run a quilt shop" type of thing too...how to make displays, how to fold fat quarters, how to do the accounting (I usually send Mr. Scottie Dog to these!) and so much more. There are 20+ sessions of 15 minutes or 30 minutes over 6 hours.

But what I am sure YOU want to hear about is what I saw at Market. Here's some pictures.Cindy Taylor Oats in her booth. We've ordered her new book: Mother and Daughter Aprons.
My good friend Jo Morton and I pause for a picture. Jo taught in Eureka several years ago. She designs Civil War era fabrics for Andover, writes books and patterns.

Button, button, WE'VE got the buttons...yes these fantastic over-sized buttons are coming soon. Use them on jackets, purses, bags even quilts if you want!
We can't go to Market without seeing our friend Jackie Clark! She designs lovely clothing and accessories for babies & children. I'm sure you've seen the baby jackets & ruffled pants hanging in the store. Now she has a delightful little Posy Pocket Top. The patterns have already arrived! Jackie mentions Liz in every class or lecture she gives....Liz told her how easy to follow her patterns were and made quite an impression on Jackie.
Are you a Princess? A Quilting Queen, Diva of Everything? Then you'll need some "PINcess Pins." They come in several color collections. So sweet, so beautiful...you'll feel like a Princess every time you use them.

One of the great things about the booths is that you'll get lots of ideas...check out the tiny rick rack on the quilt and the Jumbo rick rack on the pillowcase.
These darling baby shoes are just one of the projects in Anna Maria Horner's new book....should be arriving soon!

So that's just Quilt Market Part 1. Come back soon for Part 2.

Packing and other nonsense

Each day this week I've had a list of things to do, things to pack, things to finish, loose ends to tie up, etc. Spring Quilt Market is in Minneapolis May 20-23. Right around the corner. We are leaving a bit early to drive to Southern CA so we can fly to Minneapolis.?! It really makes sense....really. My dad's dear wife, Willie, is moving quite soon back to Illinois. This makes it necessary for us to pick up some furniture and memories and help her pack up and clean up before she goes. Also it's much cheaper for us to fly from a major airport than from our small, rural one.

Mr. Scottie Dog, Sydney & I will make the drive in a day and a half. We'll spend one night at Willie's, leave the car and flat bed trailer and fly out the next afternoon. We'll meet up with Liz in Minn. (she had a ticket already she couldn't change) and I'll get to see the Minn. grandkids too. While there we'll do all the typical things we do at a Quilt Market weekend....look at fabric, new books & notions, take classes, meet with my Quilt Shop Owner friends and more. One night we'll go to a fabulous dinner put on by Moda, squeeze in some time with the family.

All this meant I had to finish up matching skirts for the grandgirls Sydney, Mercedes & Shiloh. Poor Jakob....grandma had to buy him a shirt & shorts. I helped bind some quilts and samples for the store. My fingers have been busy. I've had to plan on what to wash, what to pack and what to wear now!

After Quilt Market Liz will fly with the rest of us back to Redlands. We'll do whatever Willie has for us to do, we'll go through the last of the "stuff" accumulated by my Mom & Dad for the 50+ years they were married and see if there is anything that has too many memories to leave behind (Liz is hoping for the red handled clippers Grandpa always used to cut oranges and lemons off the trees). I'm sure we'll come home with bags of oranges & lemons, some furniture, his car for Liz and who knows what! It will also be an emotional time....probably the last time I'll be in the family home before it is sold. I'll probably shed a few tears.

Another chaper in my life ended. I'm sure there are many more chapters in my future.

Day Two Quilt Market 2009

Day Two: Liz and I had only scheduled one appointment at Quilt Market for Saturday....or so we thought! We just "happened" to be looking at the Michael Miller Booth at 10 am and found out from our Sales Rep that we were right on time for our appointment! So we looked at all they had to offer and guess what? We will be getting the Roaming Gnome...he's in Paris, Rome, Moscow and all over the globe.

We looked at fabric, patterns and books and more, but today we met people.....old friends, new friends and all people who love quilting.
Here I am with Ricky Timms, the Quilting Cowboy, author of "Convergence Quilts" and a concert pianist.



I walked down one aisle and heard my name called...my good friend, Beth Ferrier, author of "Hand Applique by Machine" and NEW book just out "More Hand Applique by Machine." Beth came to Eureka several years ago and stayed with me.


Liz and I were perusing booths when we saw Jay McCarroll....and did a double-take. Congrats to Jay, he's lost a LOT of weight. (Shhhhhh.....it's on the QT but he'll be starring in a reality show in Feb. called "Celebrity Fit Club.") Jay was the winner of the first "Project Runway" TV Show and we met him last year and were impressed at what a nice guy he is. Lots of fun, too. After Quilt Market Jay's Pennsylvania family will be joining him in his new home in LA and then driving up the coast to Seattle. We asked him to stop in Eureka and it's fairly probable that he will stop into Scottie Dog Quilts. Now wouldn't THAT be fun!
Me & My Sister is a great pattern design team...two sisters we have enjoyed a lot over the years. In their booth they had these photo opp boards. What do you think of us?

And last, but not least, here are Mr. Scottie Dog and I with the elusive Gnome. More tomorrow! Check out Liz's Blog while you are at it! She'll have more pictures and chit chat about Market.

Schoolhouse & Sample Spree

I'm tired and my head is so full it might just burst like an over-blown balloon. If it does, be sure to pick up all the pieces of new quilts and information that will be lying around! Today was Schoolhouse at Quilt Market 2009 (the 30th anniversary of Quilt Market!). What is Schoolhouse? There were 15 sessions from 10 am till 6 pm. Some were only 15 minutes long and some a half hour. It goes like this: At 9 am they pass out a booklet that lists every class that is held each session.....Each session has about 15-20 classes listed. No repeats! So you have an hour to peruse the booklet and make your choices.....Over 1,200 people were there taking these classes all offered by fabric designers, pattern companies, book publishers, distributors. Here's Heather Baily showing off her newest fabric and patterns. She has to convince the shop owners to buy her fabric and patterns and quilt teachers to teach the projects. We're going to order many of these fabrics tomorrow or Sunday.





In another class Karen Combes shows off a cute way to display fabrics...as eggs in an egg carton. This class was about marketing, display and creativity.











We took a class with Ricky Timms and Alex Anderson touting the new GO! Cutter from AccuCut. This is a home system for die cutting fabric.....We'll have these ordered tomorrow. They had the quilting banter down pat.....they produce a quilting show on-line together and it was just announced this past week that they will be putting out a new magazine called, "The Quilt Life."

So I saw Pat Sloan, Jo Morton, Karen Montgomery, Karen Snyder, Amy Butler, Eleanor Burns and so very, very more notable quilters. I saw presentations for new 30's fabrics, batiks, bears, frogs, princesses and monsters on fabric.

I learned new ways to use rulers, adhesives, needles, coloring, texture magic and more. I chatted with old friends, new friends...FaceBook friends and the like. Mr. Scottie Dog, Liz & I ate lunch at some point and parted again for more informational classes. My head hurts just thinking about it all. I can't wait to share.





At 6 pm we regrouped and walked a few blocks to a Chinese Restaurant we'd been to last year. Ah....quiet for a bit. Then we waited for Sample Spree to start. The stampede began lining up at 6 pm but we just waited until they'd all gone in and walked into this.....Here I am with only about 1/4 of the Ballroom's worth of crowd! But we got some fat quarter towers and more. We'll be able to bring these home for show and tells.


It's late...I'll sign off for now and back to the Sales Floor tomorrow at 9:30 am!