Blog Tour and Book Giveaway - Week 7

Welcome back everyone and congratulations to Suz for winning last week's giveaway!

Today we're off to sunny California--Vista, California to be exact--home to quilt shop proprietor and good friend, Michelle Joyner.

Michelle runs the Fat Quarters Quilt Shop and has been one of my most loyal customers since I met her at Market many years ago.  Here's a picture of us in my booth in Salt Lake City, 2011.  (She's the cute, petite one.)

I've never been fortunate enough to actually see her store, but I can tell from the pictures she posts on Facebook, that it's amazing.  And this month she's hosting both trunk shows from my book!  Thanks, Michelle for the beautiful display on your blog!  So if you do plan on being in the Vista neighborhood, make sure to drop by and say hi to Michelle and get a close-up look at the quilts.

And leave a comment on her blog for a chance to win a free copy of my book!  The book giveaway ends next week so this is your second-last opportunity!  Good luck everyone!

To Market, to Market

Hi from Kansas City!

I'm at Quilt Market this weekend, promoting my upcoming book in Martingale's booth.

I

If this quilting thing doesn't work out, maybe I could be another Vanna?

Karen and Mary from Martingale--they're just the best to work with!

There it is!  My book, my book!

Who is this person with my name and why are all these people lined up to see her?

After the book signing it was time to wander the aisles...

Who knew these guys were quilters?

Some of my favourite designers... JoAnn Mulally,

Lisa Bongean of Primitive Gatherings,

and Jan Patek.

I AM NOT WORTHY!

To give you an idea of the size of this place,

here I am looking one direction from the center point,

And looking in the other direction.

32 aisles with about 34 booths on both sides!

No wonder my feet hurt.

I loved the quilts in this booth.

Look at the size of these blocks--and all hand stitched!

Karen Styles of Somerset Designs in Australia, made this stunning quilt.

It took my breath away.

It's been a long day... more to come!

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!