Odds and Ends

Lately I've felt like I'm in a bit of a slump.

Maybe it's the time of the year, I don't know,

but inspiration for new projects isn't striking.

What to do?

Well, I guess I could clean up some of my odds and ends

left over from other projects.

So I found some sample blocks I'd made for my first book for Martingale.

This one was from "Prairie Stars".

I made the sample block into a little pillow.

I took my sample block from "Tulip Time",

added some wool applique and embroidery 

and made a little table topper.

 This block was from the cover quilt.

I added some handquilting and binding and made a...
could be a pot holder or a candle mat.


 I had a bunch of strip sets from
(no idea where).
Made them into a double nine-patch block, stitched and bound it.



This was my finished version of "Autumn Equinox". 

My first try at the patchwork center didn't turn out quite like I hoped but
I couldn't bear to throw it away.
So I added a different border and machine quilted it. 

I think I'll keep this one for now. 

The other odds and ends will go to "Creekside Home Decor",

a local shop where I sell things on consignment.

Still waiting for inspiration

but now I've got a bit more space to work in when it (eventually) strikes!



Thank you!

So I'm watching the Golden Globes last night and am struck by two things--one, that many of these beautiful, accomplished people after years in their careers still have moments of self-doubt and two, how much they need supportive friends to keep them going in their chosen life path.  And I realized how similar my experience has been since I decided to make my quilting passion my career a decade ago. Many times since then I've struggled with self-doubt and asked myself whether it was time to do something else with my life.  But invariably, in those bleak and uncertain moments, when I'm scanning Craig's List to see if there's a minimum wage job somewhere that would fit me, that's when something happens to lift my spirits and encourage me to keep doing what I do.  Today was one of those days.

I opened my email to see a message from my friend Martine in France, along with pictures of some of the quilts she's made from my patterns.  Here's her version of "Chocolate-covered Churndashes" from my book, Country Comforts.  Didn't it turn out great?

And she's working on my "Out in the Country" pattern, turning it into a very cute wallhanging.

And finally, "Chickens Under the Stars".  When I first made up this wallhanging I didn't think I should make it a pattern--I thought it was such a silly idea for a quilt.  But again, a friend saw it and loved it and so I published it and now another friend in France has it in her home!

And then also this morning I got a phone call from a lady in New Jersey, whom I've never met, who wanted to order some patterns.  Her name is Ellen and she made my day with her praise and words of encouragement to keep doing what I do.

All this to say, thank you all so much for believing in me over the years and for making my patterns.

It's because of you that I'll continue to follow my dream.

Your support means more to me than you'll ever know and I'm so very grateful.

Blog Tour and Book Giveaway--Week Two

Welcome everyone, to Week 2 of my Book Blog Tour!  Many thanks to all of you who took the time to post on Martingale's and my blogs this past week.  I was overwhelmed reading all of your kind comments.  You're just the best!  As soon as Martingale lets me know who won the draw I'll get your book in the mail.

This week we're heading clear across the country to the east coast and the beautiful state of North Carolina.

My guest blogger this week is Mary Flynn of  Quilt Hollow and it's no exaggeration to say that without her this book would not have come to be.

I've never met Mary (hope to someday!) but through the wonders of the internet, we've become friends and it's her amazing machine quilting that you'll see on almost all of the quilts in At Home with Country Quilts.  My friend, Jeanne Preto, who machine-quilted my quilts for many years, including those in Country Comforts,

was moving on to other work.  The quilt tops for my next book were piling up and I was without a machine quilter.  Fortunately, I'd previously found Mary's blog and became an instant fan, being in awe of her work.  So I thought I'd ask if she'd consider finishing my projects and whether it was even possible since we lived in different countries.  Her response was so enthusiastic and so quick, that I knew immediately she was the quilter I needed.  She suggested the quilt designs based on pictures I emailed her and I loved them all.  As she worked on them, she'd send photos to me and post tidbits on her blog.

This one is from the pattern, "How Does my Garden Grow?"  Isn't the detail wonderful?

When I got the finished quilts back, the results were even more gorgeous than I thought they would be.  And it was Mary who suggested the idea of a Book Blog Hop to me.  Thanks, Mary!

So here's a second chance for you to win a copy of At Home with Country Quilts. 

If you're not already, just sign up to become a follower of my blog, then just hop over to Mary's blog and leave a comment sometime this week.  She'll draw the winner's name at the end of the week.  Good luck to all and don't forget to check back next Sunday to find out where the third stop on the blog tour will be!

Goodbye 2010!

What a roller-coaster ride this past year has been for me! Here are some highlights.

During spring break in March, my teacher-friend Meg and I headed down to the Washington coast for a girlfriend getaway. We spent the night in this wonderful B&B in Port Townsend, a town filled with historic homes.

In April, my first book, "Country Comforts" was published by Martingale!
What a day that was, when my advance copy arrived, along with a bouquet of flowers.

In May, my Monday night quilting group had its annual weekend retreat in a lakeside house near our home.

We've been doing this for years and as always, we enjoyed great company and amazing meals.

Also in May, I took a road-trip before Spring Market in Minneapolis to visit "Primitive Gatherings" quilt shop in Wisconsin--something I'd wanted to do for years. Definitely worth the drive!

My book debuted at Market and I did a couple of book-signings there. In June, I visited Schoolhouse Quilts in Georgetown, Ohio (another great shop) for a trunk show.

Afterwards, hubby Ben and I drove through Amish country near Berlin.
Then I exhibited at the National Quilting Association Show in Columbus.
In July, Ben had nerve-graft surgery to try to repair the damage done to his right arm after an accident last December. Since nerves take so long to heal, we still don't know if the surgery was successful.  He'll be having tests done in January to determine if any healing has happened.  He's now been off work for over a year and if the tests show that the nerve isn't healing, it's unlikely he'll be able to go back to his previous job, which he's had for 33 years.  2011 could bring a lot of changes! 

Later that month, a group of quilters from France came to visit me in my home. The trip was organized by Martine (on my right) as part of a tour of quilt shops and shows. Martine and I had not met before but instantly became friends.

In August we spent a week with two other couples in a house on BC's "sunshine" coast.
Going back several years, this has become an annual tradition for us. We are so thankful for these close friendships and as always, the scenery was spectacular.
Also in August, we attended the beautiful wedding of my niece, Tessa in Washington state.

Then it was off to The Buggy Barn near Spokane for their annual show.

In September, three other Canadian designers and I hosted the second "Quilts at Tanglebank Gardens" near our home. The forecast was for rain but thankfully, they were so very wrong!And then, what has to be the highlight of the year for me, Ben and I spent an incredible 3 weeks in France.

The French version of my book was for sale at the Patchwork show in Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines in the Alsace.

We visited my friend Martine at her home near Tours.  She was a wonderful hostess!

And we spent a couple of amazing days with another friend and fellow designer, Vero Requena, who owns the "Born to Quilt" shop at her beautiful home in Burgundy. 

Whew, I'm exhausted! When I think of all the wonderful friendships and experiences that quilting has brought into my life, I am amazed beyond belief.  And so very, very grateful.  Thank you all!

WISHING YOU ALL A NEW YEAR FILLED WITH JOY!

To Market, To Market

I spent Wednesday night in Stillwater, "the birthplace of Minnesota",

an historic town about 45 minutes north of Minneapolis.
It's situated on the St. Croix River and these boats give tours of the area.

There are also lots of old buildings and antique shops in the town, so I spent a few hours checking them out.

On Thursday I drove south to Minneapolis to set up my booth for Quilt Market.

Here's a "before" picture.

And here's the "after".

I took this picture from one end of the Convention Center to give you an idea of how huge a venue this is.

Today was the first day of Market.

The Martingale people wanted a picture of me with my quilts in their booth

and they had this frame handy for me to use.

They also had scheduled me for a book signing at 10:00. So that's what I did this morning.

Two more Market days to go!