California...

Here we come!Tomorrow it's a 4 am wake-up call for us as we head to San Diego with the 2 grand-daughters. A flight at 6:45, a 3 hour layover and a final flight to bring them to their new home.

It's been so much fun for me to have spent the last month with them! We even managed to get a few sewing projects in.

I finished this quilt top, I had started on retreat last March. It's all neutrals, mostly Anna Griffin fabrics, and a Moda Bella solid for the stars.

I bought this book for my daughter at Market and she was inspired to embellish an inexpensive grey t-shirt using my scraps.

The first attempt required a little adjustment as the lowest yo-yo ended up in a bit of a risque spot (if you know what I mean).

She also made new pillowcases for her new house. Great Amy Butler fabric...
And we made them reversible for 2 different looks.

See you next week, hydrangeas!

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Pinwheel Princess

My baby quilt was published this month in McCall's Quilting and it made the cover!! It was a goal of mine to be a cover girl someday (my quilt, that is) and I'm so thrilled with how pretty it looks.

I originally designed this quilt for my grand-daughter, Madelyn. We had to get a few photos with the inspiration baby. If it wasn't for this little one I wouldn't be a cover girl!

I've been piecing backings with left over fabric from my quilts recently. Makes the back look kinda special.

The original quilt in mostly Heather Bailey "Pop Garden". I really like the aqua and reds, which in the right fabrics would make an awesome baby boy quilt.

You can see the article on the McCall's Quilting website.

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May Schnibbles

This month's Schnibbles was "anything goes". I was excited because I wanted to use the Botany charm pack I had. I chose the pattern "Dulcinea", but added a little 1" sashing so the fabrics would stand out more. Not quilted yet (busy month), but it will get a brown print binding to frame it out.

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Quilt Market - final thoughts

One of the most exciting things for me was seeing creativity and new products and fabrics now available. When I first started quilting in 1981 - fabrics were not designed by quilters. There wasn't much variety available, so everything seemed to look the same. Times have changed! Now there is something for everyone and almost too much to choose from. I feel blessed to still be excited and passionate about the latest trends. I think our grandmothers would be proud!

Amy Butler's awesome flowers. Made with her new line which is beautiful!

One of the highlights of Market for me was doing a book signing of my newest book "Flowers All Around" in the Martingale and Company booth. I met some great shop owners - all excited and passionate about bringing the latest products to their customers. What a great time to be a quilter!

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Quilt Market - Part 2

One of the best things about going to quilt market is meeting the designers and seeing their quilts "in person". Here are a few of my favorites.

Joanna from Fig Tree Quilts. Her booth is always spectacular!

We met Camille from Thimbleblossoms. Her new line "Bliss" is one of my all time favorites. I even talked Pat from the Hickory Stick into getting the whole line. Some new patterns may emerge from this one!

I'm a big fan of Anka's Treasures and it was great meeting Heather and seeing her work up close.

Barb Jones from Quilt Soup continues to come out with fun, fresh patterns and fabrics. Sorry about the closed eyes, Barb, but I couldn't not show this new line and pattern!

Next up - my favorite modern designers!

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Quilt Market - Part 1

Lucky me! I attended Quilt Market this year in the lovely city of Minneapolis! Amazing!! I've been quilting for a while and it's so good to see the fresh, fun and colorful direction that quilt design is traveling.

I know there are lots of blogs with lots of pictures from Market, but for the next few days I'll share mine.

Always colorful - Taylor Made Designs. This slice of cake pin cushion is now available in a pattern. It had been previously printed in a magazine. I was lucky enough to have some friends make one for me - it's just adorable and makes me smile!

Awesome bags everywhere...

I loved this applique - fresh, bright and cheerful...

Pillow and Maxfield's new line for Michael Miller called "Pretty Bird". I loved the colors, and the large graphic prints...

Patty Young's new collection, perfect for a little girl...

Sandi Henderson's new book "Sewing Bits and Pieces" is filled with great projects that use leftover bits of fabric. I picked up a signed copy for my daughter...

What a great city! The weather was perfect and all the locals had to comment on it. I guess you really appreciate good weather when your winters are long and cold. I snapped a picture of this parking garage - the local people were so friendly I'm thinking they painted it just for us!
More to come!

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Busy Month...

You haven't seen many quilts or heard much from me because I've been hanging with my girlfriends.

Today I'm off to Minneapolis for Quilt Market. I'll be showing the quilts from my new book and looking for some of these new fabrics. My camera is packed - so look for pictures next week!

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