I'm Back from Spring Market

Hello - I'm back from spring quilt market!  Market this time was full of energy, excitement and so much new stuff coming your way!  I was able to walk the floor to see what was new and was so delighted to see lots of primitive out there.  So watch your

local shops and magazines for fun stuff to come.  The fabrics I was able to view

are delicious. Several companies had just exactly what you and I love.  There were

many new and younger designers so if you have young children that are interested in getting their feet wet in the sewing world they will be very happy to see what's in store.  It was great seeing old friends and making new ones.  I always come away from there feeling very refreshed, excited and with tons of ideas running around in my head.

It's certainly a candy store for quilters. 

My booth turned out to be very fun thanks to help from some very special people.  Two gals that contacted me and asked what they could do to help me.   I shipped 3 boxes to Minneapolis so I could have some of my stuff in the booth...can't seem to leave all my stuff behind.  BUT, the garden theme came together because Amy Brass from Rochester, Minnesota, brought me wonderful props.  A cultivator, a wonderful garden gate, clay pots, tin buckets, gardening tools and trays, potted plants in wash tubs and/or wooden boxes and wire baskets, and watering cans. I couldn't have had such a fun booth without her help!

And, Tara Lynn Darr with Sew Unique Creations drove from Illinois and stopped at a home depot to buy me some potted plants as well.  lol, my list from Florida turned out to be plants that couldn't be purchased up north, but Tara did a wonderful job and brought all the right stuff.    My dad always said, "It's not what you know, but who you know!"  I think I know some very wonderful people.  I made the comment to someone that I had

"people" and was told that wasn't the right term.........I have "peeps!" Thank you so very much Amy and Tara, your kindness meant so much to me!

I didn't return home right away.  From market, along with 22 others, I was invited to the American Patchwork and Quilting headquarters in Des Moine, Iowa.   It was called The Creative Circle.   We were petted and pampered for 3 days.  We were taken on a tour of the Meredith Corporation.  We got to see first hand the day to day operation of how magazines are put together.  I had no idea they published so many.  We visited their test gardens for Better Homes and Gardens (Oh My it was wonderful and I will share pictures on my website), ate in their test kitchens and saw first hand how photo shoots take place.  It was the highlight of my trip to spring market.  It was so much fun to visit with friends and meet new ones.   We shared ideas and I know I learned a great deal from this experience.   A heartfelt thank you to Jennifer Keltner and her team.  They all made us feel very special.  

In the next few days I hope to have lots of pictures on my website to share with you.

I will let you know when they are ready.

And, before I go.....................A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR YOU.

If you have not ordered your "BLOCK PARTY" AND/OR "FUNDA BUNDLE" patterns yet, I am offering a bag of scraps "FREE" along with your Block Party Pattern....

It will be on a first come, first serve basis for the free scraps, so be among the first to get yours (JoAnne Stanley, I haven't forgotten you.  I have yours in a bag ready to be mailed!) This offer will end June 11th.  Before you order, remember to sign up for the pattern club to get your 10% off discount.  Buy both patterns now and save!

Oh, I almost forgot.............My new book "A Little Porch Time" published by the Kansas City Star, will be coming in July..........target date July 15th.  I can't wait to share it with you. 

Until next time..............