I'm still here...I promise

Life has been absolutely crazy lately.  While I know I've been things accomplished it sure doesn't feel like it.  I have several projects I'm working on that aren't ready for sharing.  But in the meantime here are a few finishes.

A postcard for the Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap II

...the theme was "home" so I immediately thought of "Home is where the heart is."



Next...if you signed up for the Secret Santa Christmas Swap and you think I might have your name, now's the time to stop reading and click the little red "X".  I don't want to ruin the surprise for you.

So now that that's settled, let's back to business.  These runners are for Charming Guys & Girls Secret Santa Christmas Swap.  Why is there three runners you ask?  Well...long story short...my friend Donna signed up to do the swap too and both of us being short on time these days, I told her I would piece both our gifts if she would quilt them.  I piece faster and she quilts faster so it was a win-win! 

So yesterday for our two gift recipients I made each gal a Christmas runner (seen in red and green) and an all year around runner (third picture).



Let me tell you something.  This was a tough swap because both of us had a hard time figuring out what the ladies receiving our gifts might like.  Both gals were newer bloggers so their blogs didn't give us a lot to go on. 

Well I gotta get back at it. 

Happy quilting y'all!

Starting a new blog...

When I first started this blog, I blogged about my quilting and my occasional outdoor/wildlife photographs.  This blog quickly became a blog about quilting only, making photo posting seem a bit out of place. 

Well no more!  I miss spending time with my photos so I've started a new blog dedicated to my photography.  If you're interested in checking it out you can find it here.

Thanks!

I done gone and did it!

I bought myself a AccuQuilt Studio...the Bread & Butter package to be exact!

While I was at it, I purchased the Double Wedding Ring and Rob Peter to Pay Paul dies too.

As some of you may know AccuQuilt is having a sale right now for Studios on their website.  After discussing it with my husband, we decided it was time for me to take advantage of the sale price and buy me a Studio.  With my gift certificate I won a while back, it was only going to cost us around $300 for the cutter itself.

I know you're thinking  "but you didn't buy just a Studio." 

I bought the Bread & Butter package for two reasons - one being it was on sale for $1284.  The original price was $1605.  That was a HUGE savings!  I was just planning to buy the Studio and maybe one or two dies and then start adding to my dies little by little every month as I could afford to.  With this set I received not only the Studio but 10 different dies.

The second reason (and deciding factor) is what really I wanted to share.  When you spend $1500, Accuquilt will bill your credit card in three payments - the first third when your purchase is shipped, the second third exactly 30 days later, and the final payment exactly thirty days after that.  This made purchasing  the Bread & Butter make a lot more sense.  Because it was on sale though, I had to pick a couple more dies to get back up to the $1500 mark...didn't hurt my feelings...LOL. 

And it get's even better...if you spend over $99, shipping is FREE within the continental USA...so that was another $110 savings!

If you've been thinking about buying an Studio, now is the time.  This sale ends Sunday.  Beth, the representative who helped me, would love to take your call.  To speak with Beth call 888-258-7913, extension 611.

This is not a paid advertisement...LOL...I just wanted to pass along some great information.

Market Goodies!

Are you ready to see some some of my personal market finds?  Here we go!

Freebie patterns from Debbie's Creative Moments Schoolhouse class

Oodles of patterns from the fabulous Carrie Nelson

These are patterns are from a designer new to me, Susan Filer

of The Pattern Place in Australia.  The owl pattern is my favorite and I can't wait to make it.

Ok...these patterns by the fabulously talents Sue Garman were not purchased at market,

but at Quakertown Quilts who happens to be Sue's pattern distributor.

While at market, I was lucky enough to meet Pat Sloan and

get an autographed copy of her new book!  

I also met Pearl Louise Krush at her book signing!

I can't wait to do the quilt in this book.  It's too cute for words.

Now for my new favorite book hot off the press...Friendship Strips & Scraps by Edyta Sitar.

I'm not even sure you buy this book yet.  If you go back to this post about market,

you'll see many of quilts in this book haning in her booth.  It is definately a must have.

Now on to the fabrics...

How about a little A is for Annabelle by RJR Fabrics...two alphabet panels and coordinating fabrics.

Our family is expecting twin grandbabies soon and I thought this would be perfect for one of the babies.

Next I have Little Bear Counts from P&B Textiles which is coming out this November...

counting pannel and coordinating prints.  Another good one for the twins.

Robyn Pandolph for RJR Fabrics

I tried to find more information online to share but

there's just nothing out there right now...it's that new.

Fat quarters from Hokkoh.

This fabric was new to me.  It was so unusual to me that I just had to have some.

Daisies and Dots from Piece o' Cake Designs for Robert Kaufman

I have to say that this is one of my favorite new lines coming out.  Don't you just love it?!

Oasis by Three Sisters for Moda

Click here to see one of the upcoming projects for this very unusual line. 

And now my most favorite find...Buttercup by Fig Tree Designs for Moda!!!

This will go down as one of my absolute favorite Fig Tree lines.  Go back to this post about market to see all the wonderful things Joanne made with these most awesome colors.

Well that's all I have to share from market.  I hope you've enjoyed a sneak peak at all of the things to come in the quilting world.  Now I'm off to get some quilting done.

TTFN...

Houston Quilt Pics

Well now that people are arriving in Houston and going to the early show preview,

I think it's safe to post the pictures I took on Sunday of the quilts and dolls.

Enjoy! 

   

Sorry I don't have names of the quiltmakers because they really deserve some SERIOUS credit.  If you happen to know any information on these works of art please feel free to leave a comment.



Market Pictures

RJR's new fabric line Artisan

The pattern you see here should be a free downloadable pattern soon on their website.

Tricia Cribbs of Friend Folks...a wonderful designer and all around fantastic lady!

Michael Miller booth...love the homage to Carol Burnett!

Jan Patek Quilts...see her sitting there on the right as Raggedy Anne?  Too cute!

Edyta Sitar of Laundry Basket Quilts...you can see many of the quilts in her new book Friendship Strips & Scraps hanging all around.  I'll share more about the book in another post.

Kathy Schmitz...I just adore her embroidery patterns.

Fig Tree & Co...like I have to tell you...classic Joanne goodness!

Kansas Trouble Quilters...I am sooooo loving their new BOM featured there in the middle.

Also, notice the quilted rug?  It's apparently the next big thing. 

I am betting we'll be seeing a lot more of these.

Don't Look Now

 

The next two photos are from designer Marianne Elizabeth...

Marianne says this gorgeous teal/green quilt will be in her upcoming book!

Forgive me...I don't remember what this is...but it's still beautiful!

Sue Daley of Patchwork with Busy Fingers...what a fantastic designer of English paper piecing! 

I can't wait to do one of her designs.

Enough for this post!  I'll do another one about some of my favorite fabric and pattern finds in a little bit.