Blog Tour and Book Giveaway - Week 4

Hi everyone and welcome back to Week 4 of my book blog tour!  I hope you're enjoying this as much as I am!  Thanks to all of you who have commented--your kind words just make my day!

Congratulations to last week's winner, Laura from Florida!  Your book is on its way.

This week we're heading back across the border to the far east section of Washington State and the tiny town of Reardan, home to Pam and Janet of the Buggy Barn quilt shop!  

I've been a fan of these talented sisters since I spotted their patterns at my first Quilt Market.  Every August for the past 16 years, their shop has hosted the most amazing outdoor quilt show and I've been privileged to display my quilts there for a few summers now.  But I must admit that the first time I drove there, if I hadn't seen the signs beside the road, I'd have wondered if I'd taken a wrong turn along the way!  The shop is located on their farm, surrounded by "amber waves of grain" seemingly in the middle of nowhere.  But the morning of the show, car after car drives up the gravel road bringing hundreds of quilters from near and far.  And as you get closer, you see quilts and more quilts hanging from fence posts, tacked onto the sides of their barns, and inside their shop.  Here are a few pictures from past shows.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This show has become a destination event for many quilters and over the years has expanded to include classes with well-known teachers from all over the US as well as local artisans selling their unique wares.  I'm not able to attend the show this year but several quilts from the book will be on display so if you're lucky enough to go, make sure to check them out!

If you hop on over to Pam and Janet's blog, you'll find out more about the show and if you leave a comment on their blog this coming week, you'll be entered to win a copy of my book.

 Good luck everyone and check back next Sunday to find out the next spot on this blog tour!

Back to the Buggy Barn

I spent the last weekend in August at the Buggy Barn's Fifteenth Annual Quilt Show

in Reardan, Washington.
After driving down a long gravel road,

miles from the nearest town,
I arrived at the farm.

Overnight, the quilts have been hung on the barns.

And the fences.

And in the air.

The original "buggy barn" on the property
is now a quilt shop.

And is covered in quilts.

Quilts line the gravel driveway to the second barn.

I don't know what this thing is, but it's now a quilt display.

Tents were set up for folk artists to sell their creations.

This barn is where I'll be spending the day,
signing copies of my book, Welcome Home.

In the morning, I'm at the table in the shade.

Behind me, are a few of my other quilts.

It's HOT (about 96 F or 34 C)
so in the afternoon I move to the side of the barn,

trying to stay in the shade.

More of my quilts are displayed here.

This is my view for the two days I'm there.

This little guy seemed to like my quilts.

And this one did too.

Another view of the barn.

And the fields.

Then the wind picked up.

Amazingly, the quilts stayed on the lines.

Proof that you're never too young to quilt--
these two cuties started at age 5.

When it's time to take the quilts down,

the whole family gets involved.

Husbands, kids, and grandkids.

Thanks, Pam and Janet, and your wonderful family and staff

for another amazing show!

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!